Response to the future of local hospitals published
The results of the public consultation on the future of hospital services in the north-west have been published.
The consultation has been described as flawed by local groups opposed to the downgrading of A&E units at four hospitals including Charing Cross and Hammersmith, as they believe the decisions have already been made. They also said the consultation was poorly publicised.
Hounslow Council backed Option A, which retains West Middlesex Hospital as a major facility for accident and emergency services.
Chiswick councillor Peter Thompson, who is leader of the Conservative grouping on Hounslow Council had previously criticised the Council's decision on the matter.
As part of its future strategy, 'Shaping a Healthier Future' NHS North West London want fewer but more specialist centres in the area and asked for opinions about the changes.
Option A, preferred by the NHS, would have St Mary's, Chelsea and Westminster, West Middlesex, Northwick Park, and Hillingdon hospitals remaining as major facilities, keeping their A&Es.
Option B has Charing Cross, Hillingdon, Northwick Park, St Mary's and West Middlesex hospitals as major hospitals, retaining A&Es facilities.
17,022 submissions were received, between 2 July and 8 October the majority of which came through online. Opponents of the closure are arguing that the consultation was poorly publicised and this response level is tiny given that over 2 million people were affected by the changes. Over 9,000 of the responses came from a campaign organised by Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
64% of those who responded to the question about the way healthcare is delivered agreed there were convincing reasons to change.
Location |
Support/ Oppose |
Option A % |
Option B % |
Option C % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Brent (A: 57*, B: 56*, C: 54*) |
Support |
49 |
23 |
24 |
Oppose |
46 |
63 |
61 |
|
Ealing (A: 1,626, B: 1,580, C: 1,613) |
Support |
11 |
6 |
57 |
Oppose |
74 |
77 |
27 |
|
Hammersmith and Fulham |
Support |
45 |
26 |
14 |
Oppose |
43 |
59 |
67 |
|
Harrow (A: 71*, B: 64*, C: 64*) |
Support |
58 |
17 |
16 |
Oppose |
27 |
39 |
44 |
|
Hillingdon (A: 106, B: 97*, B: 97*) |
Support |
42 |
13 |
38 |
Oppose |
38 |
58 |
36 |
|
Hounslow (A: 866, B: 734 C: 819) |
Support |
86 |
49 |
5 |
Oppose |
10 |
31 |
89 |
|
Kensington and Chelsea (A: 216, B: 208, C: 208) |
Support |
93 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Source: The Ipsos MORI report. Shows those submitting response forms and providing their postcode
NHS North West London say the changes will save money and improve care.
Mark Spencer, medical director for Shaping a healthier future, said: "The important thing for us to do now is to look at all the issues raised during the consultation and address them as we review and develop our proposals."
Opponents who have handed a petition in to Downing Street opposing the closure of the four units say the consultation process was flawed and are fearful for the future of local health care.
The health trust's final recommendations are expected to be considered by the secretary of state for health in February next year.
Chiswick councillor Peter Thompson, who is leader of the Conservative grouping on Hounslow Council had previously criticised the Council's decision on the matter.
Cllr Thompson said; “Hounslow Council have made a serious error of judgement in calling for residents to back the so-called Option A without making clear that this would result Hammersmith and Charing Cross hospitals being dramatically downgraded."
However, his comments last month had provoked an angry response from Hounslow Council's Cllr. Gurmail Lal, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, who said it was a Tory government who was forcing through the closures.
“Cllr. Thompson appears to be extremely disingenuous. Hounslow Council has duly responded to the consultation document by supporting Option A (the retention of A & E Services at West Middlesex Hospital) in order to provide the best possible service to the majority of residents in our Borough.
29th November 2012