Ealing Meeting on Hospital Downgrade Plans

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In advance of NHS consultation over health service changes

A major meeting is to take place in Ealing to discuss proposals to downgrade local hospitals.

It follows the publication of plans by the NHS to make £500million savings by removing blue-light ambulances, critical care and potentially all surgery from Ealing Hospital by 2022.  Plans to downgrade Charing Cross to ‘local’ hospital status would follow.

Ealing Council has opposed the NHS ‘Shaping a Healthier Future’ programme of hospital changes since it was first announced in June 2012. Under the programme A&Es have already been closed at Central Middlesex and Hammersmith hospitals as well as maternity and children’s A&E services at Ealing Hospital.

The aim of the NHS changes is to have more people treated and cared for at home

Councillor Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council said: “I know the people of Ealing have huge respect for NHS staff and the care they provide and we all want to see improved out-of-hospital and preventative care. 

“Axing two more A&Es in this area is a terrifying prospect. Our remaining A&Es are already creaking under the strain of increasing demand, so stripping out a further 500 acute beds is unsafe and must be stopped.  Moving A&Es further away from our residents makes no sense.  Ambulance response times for the most serious cases in Ealing, where life-saving treatment is needed, are already failing to meet the eight-minute response target. ”

The NHS will shortly begin public engagement on the proposed changes to local health services, including those provided in hospitals as well as planned improvements to primary care.  Using the results of the independent inquiry led by Michael Mansfield QC and the views expressed by local people at the meeting in February, the council will provide its feedback on the proposals.

Councillor Hitesh Tailor, cabinet member for health and adult services and who will chair the meeting, said: “The loss of local health services will have a devastating impact for local people. I urge residents across the Borough to come along to the meeting and make their views known.”

The meeting will take place on Wednesday, 15 February 2017 at 7.30 in Ealing Town Hall.  Invited speakers include Ealing Council leader, Councillor Julian Bell, Hammersmith and Fulham leader, Councillor Stephen Cowan, London Assembly Member and local GP, Dr Onkar Sahota, Health Watch as well as representatives from the NHS and from the Save Our NHS campaign.

 

 

31st January 2017