Singleton Hospital closure due to lack of doctors - Jenny Randerson comment

3.48.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 5th Jun 2008

Commenting on news that Swansea Singleton Hospital's A+E department had to close its doors to patients this week due to a shortage of doctors leading in turn to chaos in Morriston Hospital , Welsh Lib Dem Health Spokesperson, Jenny Randerson AM said:

"This is more deeply concerning evidence of the holes that still remain in the Government's health strategy. After all, what use is free parking if there are no doctors to treat you when you get there. Just this week I raised the issue with the First Minister about the turnaround times for ambulances at A+E. It is the lack of staffing that is causing these problems as well. I have heard concerns about inadequate staffing at several A+E departments across the country.

"Sadly, until Labour and Plaid prioritise frontline services like staff instead of gimmicks like free paracetomol for millionaires and free parking for commuters, situations like this will continue to arise."