NHS trust accused of closing A&E 'through stealth'

A large number of ambulances have been seen waiting on the helipad at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in the last few days

Campaigners have accused the NHS of trying to "close" a hospital emergency department "through stealth".

Restore Emergency at Cheltenham Hospital (REACH) claims five ambulances per day are arriving at Cheltenham General Hospital's emergency department, compared to 20 a decade ago.

The main casualty unit at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital has been left unable to cope with demand as a result, they claim.

The Gloucestershire Royal Hospitals NHS trust said it is "really sorry" patients are waiting "longer than they would wish" during busy periods.

Fewer ambulances

Due to significant demand and capacity pressures, a "business continuity incident" was declared by the trust on Sunday, and came into effect on Monday.

12 ambulances were seen waiting outside Gloucestershire Royal Hospital's emergency department at 01.00 BST on Tuesday.

The trust changed its "acute medical take" in July, meaning far fewer ambulances are allowed to go to Cheltenham's emergency department.

"By stealth, they have been gradually wittering away at what Cheltenham is allowed to do," said Julius Marstrand of REACH.

"By May of this year, there was an average of only 15 ambulances a day going to Cheltenham, despite an overall increase in demand.

"That's now down to under five since 23 July," he added.

"That's a major factor in why Gloucestershire Royal Hospital is such a mess, because they're having to take all the emergencies from the whole of Gloucestershire."

A spokesperson for the trust said: "Despite the claims being made, Cheltenham General Hospital continues to provide a consultant-led Emergency Department (ED) from 8am-8pm and a nurse-led Minor Injuries and Illness Unit (MIIU) from 8pm - 8am, and continues to receive ambulances.

"We are working with other parts of the health and social care system to ensure that a range of alternative services are available both in hospital and outside of the hospital to ensure people can access the right care and in the best place."