As part of the review of services in the North, we carried out a study of accident and emergency departments. The study found that 85% of those who attended accident and emergency had minor injuries which could have been dealt with at a local centre fitted with the proper equipment while around 10% of cases were complicated and required the full resources of a neurosurgical department. It is important to assure people that if they are in trouble they can be brought quickly to the place where they can benefit most.