Responding to reports that Telford A&E will be closing overnight, and New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton would be expected to take on the additional demand, Emma said:

“It has emerged that New Cross will be taking the vast majority of extra patients caused by the overnight closure of Telford A&E. The 23 mile journey and the time it takes to transfer patients means three additional ambulances will be needed just to cope with the demands.

“I have been clear that I oppose these proposals. They are very badly thought through, and it is clear Health Ministers have no proper plan. There is also no explanation of how WM Ambulance Service will be compensated for these additional ambulances, and where the money for the ambulance crews will come from.

“I will keep pressing the government on this issue. I have already written to the Health Secretary about additional resources and am waiting on a reply.

“Extra resources are needed for New Cross to bring in new staff to deal with this additional demand so patients in Wolverhampton do not suffer from long delays. There is no detail on this and when I raised the issue of additional resources last week in Parliament, the Health Minister did not answer the question.”