It’s hard to think of anything worse – local accident and emergency departments are about to close without proper replacement services.
Insulting our intelligence, residents in most parts of Ealing have had letters claiming that A&E closures “are part of a wider programme of improvements to healthcare”. The reality is that A&Es are being closed to save money at the expense of local people, and in the context of massive privatisation of health services. There are no suitable alternative services.
The letters have also said that “there will be improved access to GP and community services near your home”. The letter fails to back it up because it’s not true. The reality is that GP services are under ever-increasing pressure, their funding is under threat in some cases, and GPs are expected to somehow become specialists in paediatrics and mental health because of cuts in those areas. The NHS managers still want to go ahead and close the much-needed A&E units at Central Middlesex and Hammersmith Hospitals, with cuts at Ealing and Charing Cross to follow. The letters to residents have said they will have to go to neighbouring hospitals, starting with Northwick Park.
But no sooner than these ridiculous letters were delivered to our homes, the Government’s Care Quality Commission issued a report on the failures of Northwick Park A&E, while praising Central Middlesex A&E.
The report said: “Patient flow through Northwick Park was having an impact on people waiting in A&E, and pressure on the critical care units was so great that some people were being discharged too early and subsequently readmitted.”
How can NHS bosses pretend that this A&E is ready to take many thousands of A&E patients? The truth is it will not be able to cope. The cuts to A&Es should be stopped. The Government and the NHS have always said they would not cut our hospitals until there were replacement services ready. There are no replacement services and people will suffer terrible consequences.
l Protesters will gather outside Central Middlesex Hospital from 10am on September 10 – the closure date. There will also be protests outside Hammersmith Hospital on the same day.
Oliver New
Chairman, Ealing TUC Save Our NHS Campaign
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here