A NEW study has found that A&E closures do not lead to more deaths despite ambulance delays.

However, scholars at the University of Sheffield, examining reorganisations similar to Dorset's planned Clinical Services Review, also found predicted "better outcomes" for patients did not materialise.

Dr Emma Knowles, from the university's school of health, said: “The public, in particular, require reassurance that the closure or downgrade of an emergency department (ED) does not result in increased death rates.

"The report suggests that any negative effects caused by an increase in journey time to an ED can be offset by other factors.

"For example, if new specialised services are introduced or if the care received at the now nearest hospital is more effective than that provided at the hospital where the ED closed."

However, the study’s co-author, Professor Jon Nicholl, said: "It is important to highlight that we didn’t find the better outcomes for patients that planners hoped to see from closing these small departments either.

"This means it isn’t clear that the disruption and anxiety that can be caused by closing emergency departments is worthwhile."

The study examined downgraded A&E departments at Newark, Rochdale, Bishop Aukland, Hartlepool and Hemel Hempstead. Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group's (CCG) review will see Poole A&E closed and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital's facilities expanded, concerning those living to the west of the conurbation.

Researchers found that residents who now have further to travel due to the closure of their local ED faced a longer time between them making a 999 call and arriving at hospital (9.1 minutes) compared with those whose distance changed the least.

The CCG has welcomed the report.

Chief officer Tim Goodson said: "The decisions made by our Governing Body last September were done to ensure services in Dorset are sustainable in the future and offer the best outcomes for local people.

"We welcome this research as it independently supports the national research that giving people care from specialist sites, which may mean further to travel for some people, will not increase death rates, and we believe will ultimately save lives."

The CCG also cited another study by the University of Manchester, which found seriously ill or injured patients taken straight to a major trauma centre have a better chance of survival and recovery, even with a longer journey.

Chris Moran, national clinical director for trauma at NHS England, said: “That extra 20 or 30 minutes in the helicopter or back of an ambulance means that when you arrive there’s a trauma team receiving you, operating theatre immediately available to save your life and the skills to put you back together again."

The study looked at 110,000 major trauma cases over nine years and found that the chances of surviving major trauma have risen by a fifth since 2012, when the centres were introduced across England.