Plans to close Trafford General A&E

Health minister Simon Burns has revealed that services at the hospital regarded as “the birthplace of the NHS” are under threat.

He said that NHS North of England will consider proposals to remove accident and emergency services, acute surgery and inpatient surgery from Trafford General Hospital, where Nye Bevan launched the NHS.

A consultation process is set to be held in the coming weeks into the proposed downgrading of the hospital’s emergency services.

Speaking at a Westminster Hall debate, Mr Burns said the local NHS had worked on several options and spoken to clinicians, commissioners and public representatives to "identify the right model of care".

He said: “They chose a model where A&E services would be replaced by an urgent care centre opening between 8am and midnight, changing to a minor injuries and illness unit within two to three years; where acute surgery doesn’t happen there anymore, where some parts of acute medicine are removed but some remain; and where inpatient surgery no longer provided at Trafford General.”

Services to be retained at Trafford General Hospital include elective orthopaedic surgery, day case surgery, out-patients services, diagnostics and rehabilitation.

“I know that Trafford is the birthplace of NHS and where Nye Bevan famously launched the NHS,” said Mr Burns. “But unfortunately history is not enough. Every corner of the NHS needs to be on sound financial footing so it is a viable service for years to come.”

Trafford Healthcare, which formerly managed Trafford General, was taken over by Central Manchester University Hospitals Foundation Trust earlier this year.

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