As controversial NHS plans put one in seven A&Es at risk of closure in next four years, map reveals if your local unit is under threat
24 of England's 175 emergency units in line to shut or downgraded after A&E waits hit record high last month
ONE in seven A&E units face closure by 2021 under controversial NHS modernisation plans.
An investigation found 24 out of 175 emergency departments in England could be shut or downgraded in the next four years.
The analysis by the Health Service Journal uncovered the hospitals at greatest risk of losing their casualty wards.
Seven are already slated for closure.
And a further 26 hospital A&Es are in contention for being axed or downgraded, with 17 expected to be lost between them.
The cuts come despite much of the NHS being in crisis last month.
Record numbers of casualty wards were forced to close their doors after being swamped and diverted sick Brits to neighbouring hospitals instead.
A&E delays also hit a new high last month.
They are expected to treat 95 per cent of patients within four hours.
But data from the Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) show this figure fell as low as 74.6 per cent in January – the lowest since records began in 2004.
Health leaders warned plans to close two dozen A&Es would trigger widespread public opposition.
Leading casualty medic Dr Chris Moulton, vice president of the RCEM, said: “No emergency department downgrade should take place without due consideration for patient safety and convenience and the effect on neighbouring hospitals.”
And Nuffield Trust chief executive Nigel Edwards said: “It’s not immediately clear whether they are going to get a breakthrough with their local health systems, politicians, and the public.”
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The health service overspent by a record £2.45billion last year – and needs to save £22 billion by 2020.
Some of the units were set to be lost under controversial 2013 reforms to improve A&Es.
But more are now under threat after 44 local health boards were ordered to identify services that can be shut or merged under so-called “sustainability and transformation plans” or STPs.
Alongside axing A&Es and other hospital services to make ends meet, many want to move care into the community, tackle unhealthy lifestyles and beef up GP provision.
Those most likely to close include A&Es at Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, Dewsbury and District Hospital, Ealing Hospital in London, King George Hospital in London, Poole Hospital, City Hospital in Birmingham, and Sandwell District General Hospital in the West Midlands.