Whirlwind Tour Is No Substitute For Wind Of Change

12.00.00am GMT Wed 16th Feb 2005

The crisis in Wales' A&E departments will not be solved by a whirlwind tour by the Minister - that's the message from Welsh Liberal Democrat leader Mike German.

Health Minister Brian Gibbons embarked on a tour of A&E departments across the South Wales Valleys today to see for himself the difficulties that have led to departments closing their doors to all but the most urgent cases.

Mr German said: "In 45 minutes, the Health Minister will barely have time to get his coat off and find out what is happening. He'll only just have time to have his photo taken. "I don't doubt that the Minister's officials are keeping him fully informed about the problem. What we need to see now is that he has a solution. Our Accident and Emergency departments need emergency treatment."

Mr German visited a walk-in treatment centre in Southampton this week, to see how such facilities can help lighten the load on A&E departments.

Speaking after his visit, he said: "The walk in centre I visited in Shirley, Southampton is open from 7am to 10pm and sees an average of 140 patients a day. The nurses can dispense certain medicines and undertake a wide range of tasks including dressings, blood tests, minor ailment treatments and children's diseases. This means that patients who don't need to be in hospital, are treated quickly and efficiently, without clogging up the system for those who do need hospital treatment."

The walk-in centre also has a protocol with the ambulance service whereby patients - where appropriate - are directed to the walk-in centre, and are sometimes brought there by ambulance following a 999 ambulance call. Mr German added: "Our A&E centres need emergency treatment. Walk-in centres could play a part in reducing the numbers who are presenting in A&E. The Health Minister has said he is willing to learn from policies that are working in England. He must give this urgent consideration."