CAMPAIGNERS will continue to fight for Ealing Hospital after a council meeting unanimously voted to refer controversial plans to the government.
NHS bosses want to shut A&E services at Ealing, Central Middlesex, Charing Cross and Hammersmith hospitals as well as stopping other services. This would leave three London boroughs with a total population the size of Leeds, without a major hospital.
Last night, Ealing Council’s Health And Adult Social Services Standing Scrutiny Panel met to discuss the issue.
Councillors are angry that the NHS bosses are pushing through the plans to downgrade hospital services, claiming that they would be made at a scale and speed never tested before.
Council leader Julian Bell, who addressed the scrutiny meeting to encourage fellow councillors to refer the decision, gave his reaction.
"The council’s referral will mean that these plans will now be examined by an independent panel appointed by the government. As the plans do not meet the four basic tests set before hospital services can be reconfigured we believe Jeremy Hunt will have no choice but to overturn the NHS decision."
Mr Bell said it is important that people continue to show their opposition and a protest is being organised for Ealing on April 27.
"I want to encourage people across the region to come and join us. Even if their hospital isn’t affected they need to consider what it will be like when more people are waiting for vital emergency treatment in fewer hospitals."
All political parties at Ealing are against the proposals.
People are encourage to support the Save our Hospital campaign and follow the campaign on Twitter #HelpSOH
