Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what estimate he has made of the number of A&E departments likely to close in each region in each of the next five years.

The reconfiguration of local health services is a matter for the local National Health Service. All service changes should be led by clinicians and be in the best interests of patients, not driven from the top down.

It is for NHS commissioners and providers to work together, with local authorities, patients and the public, in bringing forward proposals that will improve the quality, safety and sustainability of healthcare services.

Any changes must be supported by the Government’s four tests for service change, namely:

- support from general practitioner commissioners;

- clarity on the clinical evidence base;

- robust patient and public engagement; and

- support for patient choice.

Once a decision on a local case for change has been made, it is up to the NHS to ensure its local services meet the needs of its population.