London Assembly fears over NHS hospital A&E closures

Accident and Emergency departments at Several London hospitals face closure in the New Year under NHS cuts.

Now the London Assembly wants to know the reason behind the planned cuts and what effect they will have on patient care.

The Assembly’s Health & Environment committee is hearing from leading figures in the medical profession about proposed changes to hospital services at an open session at City Hall later today (Weds).

It is discussing potential changes which include NHS North East London’s controversial plans to shut King George’s Hospital A&E and maternity services.

Other cuts include North West London Trust closing four of its nine A&E units, North Central London Trust shutting Chase Farm Hospital’s A&E and maternity services in Southgate, South West London Trust closing some A&E and maternity care and South London Trust recommending downgrading A&E at Lewisham.

Those being questioned include medical directors for two NHS trusts, the London Ambulance Service and Charing Cross Hospital as well as TfL’s principal transport planner and a GP training scheme director.

The meeting begins 2pm at City Hall in The Queen’s Walk, by Tower Bridge, open to the public.