Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what acute clinical services need to be available at an NHS hospital in order for it to qualify as offering acute accident and emergency cover; and if she will make a statement; [52469] (2) what are the differences in medical cover offered by (a) a minor injuries unit and (b) an acute accident and emergency department; and if she will make a statement. [52470]
Mr. Byrne: To qualify as a major (type one) accident and emergency (A&E;) department a service must be, among other requirements, consultant led, open 24 hours a day and have full resuscitation facilities. All major A&E; departments are on acute hospital sites. Services on the hospital site usually include critical care and diagnostic radiology comprising x-ray, ultrasound and computerised tomography scan. The key difference in medical cover offered by a major A&E; department, compared with a minor injuries unit (MIU), is that it is required to be consultant-led. MIUs can be general practitioner or nurse-led. | 
