26.06.12
Four London A&E departments could close
A&E closures could take place at four north-west London hospitals, with plans for the reorganisation out for consultation from July 2. Officials suggest if no changes are made, there will be a £332m gap to plug by 2014/15.
The decision was reached at the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts yesterday, which proposes closing A&E departments at Charing Cross, Ealing, Hammersmith and Central Middlesex hospitals.
Charing Cross and Ealing would be downgraded into local hospitals,Central Middlesexwould become a local elective and Hammersmith would become a specialist hospital.
Opponents of the plans stated that they would fight the proposals.
Cllr Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: “It will cause local people, particularly those who are the poorest, significant problems in getting to hospitals, supporting their relatives and even, potentially, it could cost lives if those journey times are impacted in terms of rush hour traffic.”
Andrew Slaughter, Labour MP for Hammersmith, said there was “nothing wrong with economies of scale if you can join forces and do something cheaper that provides more resources, but what we're seeing is a levelling down”.
The consultation will be open for 14 weeks.
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