Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, if he will suspend the implementation of his Department's Shaping a Healthier Future programme until NHS England's investigation into the performance of North West London accident and emergency departments is complete.

It is for local commissioners to implement any changes as part of Shaping a Healthier Future following proper public engagement and in line with the emerging principles of the Keogh review of Accident and Emergency (A&E) Services.

Medical Directors at all of the hospitals affected by the Shaping a Healthier Future programme have said that there is a ‘very high level of clinical support for this programme across NW London’, and that these changes will ‘save many lives each year and significantly improve patients’ care and experience of the NHS.’

We are advised that NHS England is commissioning an independent review of the adequacy of capacity planning and execution of delivery plans for the A&E service changes that have taken place in North West London. The review will report early in the New Year and the findings will be shared with the Secretary of State for Health.