Following the long-delayed opening of the new A&E and critical care unit at the Midland Metropolitan University Hospital in Smethwick, the A&E Department at Sandwell General Hospital has been closed. It is now being called an Urgent Treatment Centre.

As a result, we recommend that people call 111 if they need help after an accident. You should still dial 999 if you need an ambulance.

Some patients are being turned away from the old A&E Department at Sandwell General Hospital, and sent to the new hospital in Smethwick. This is unacceptable and the two hospitals should be able to accept each others’ patients in emergencies, and cross refer afterwards. 

While ambulance paramedics and GPs can be expected to understand the type of treatment required, and which hospital to use, victims of accidents (or their family members) should not be expected to self-refer themselves to the “correct” hospital. Call 111 to get instant medical advice and be directed to the best care facility for your needs.

While the glossy pamphlet the Trust has sent out includes some examples of when to use the two centres, patients should not be expected to know what is defined as urgent and what is an emergency, and are unlikely to remember the difference when they need help.

Patients need a simple and reliable A&E service, in the event of an accident or sudden illness. Local NHS Trusts should be serving the local community. If you have been redirected from Sandwell General Hospital or the new Emergency Department in Smethwick to the other unit, then we recommend that you tell managers at the hospitals about the problem. 

The Department of Health made a commitment to patients, saying that: wherever and whenever they contacted the NHS, their needs would be met and the most appropriate response provided. This applies to walk-in centres as well as other services, and this change contradicts this commitment.

West Midlands Councillors, including our Lib Dem Councillors in Sandwell, were consulted about plans for the new hospital in 2004, and many could see the confusion it might cause.