Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government on what basis the decision was taken to temporarily close Cheltenham General Hospital's Accident and Emergency department; and when this temporary closure will be reviewed.

On 2 June 2020 the Board of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust gave its support to temporary service changes, proposed by its clinical teams, as part of the next phase of its pandemic response. The changes separate COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 services, as much as possible, in order to minimise the risk of transmission of the virus to patients and staff. As a result, Cheltenham General Hospital’s accident and emergency department will operate as a minor injuries and illness unit, operating 8am to 8pm. The changes will be reviewed on a three-monthly basis.