(2) what steps he is taking to ensure that the accident and emergency facility for children at North Manchester General Hospital is fully operational when Booth Hall Children’s Hospital closes.
[holding answers 22 November 2007]: Changes to local services are a matter for local national health service organisations. The North West strategic health authority reports that NHS organisations have formed a children’s programme board to lead on the important improvements to NHS care in the city of Manchester arising from the Making it Better public consultation process. This includes the transfer of services currently located at Booth Hall children’s hospital.
These changes are subject to a thorough and robust planning process. Secondary care services will remain fully operational throughout the period of change, operating from the North Manchester general hospital site immediately following the closure of Booth Hall.