Short Cuts: A&E will escape unscathed from £7m savings push

West Surrey health authority has pledged to leave accident and emergency services untouched at the start of a second phase of consultation on building a 'sustainable' NHS. The HA needs to find £7m savings on top of £11m already identified in the first phase of the consultation exercise. It had a deficit of £19m in 1996-97.Chief executive Jenny Griffiths said 'the worst-case scenario - cuts to A&E services' had been avoided and it was investing £2m of new government money in emergency services. But she said more savings would have to be found. The consultation is also looking at plans to modernise and integrate services.