Accident and Emergency Departments: Lancashire

Mr. Gordon Prentice
To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the transfer of blue light accident and emergency from Burnley General to Blackburn Royal Infirmary on 1 November 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen
Proposals for the reconfiguration of services are a matter for the national health service locally, working in conjunction with clinicians, patients and other stakeholders. The East Lancashire Hospitals Trust, East Lancashire primary care trust and the North West Ambulance Service are continuing to monitor the effectiveness of the transfer throughout the implementation process.