There is one issue that dominates every conversation I have in Hammersmith at present and that is how the government can even contemplate closing A&E departments at both Hammersmith and Charing Cross hospitals?
In fact the situation is much worse even than that: Central Middlesex and Ealing Hospitals would also lose their A&Es and Charing Cross would close completely save for an ‘urgent care centre’ staffed by GPs.
I and fellow west London MPs have raised this issue a dozen times in Parliament in the past two weeks, including with David Cameron and Andrew Lansley. We will continue to do so until they take responsibility for the cuts in the NHS that are forcing these decisions.
In the meantime the battle to save our hospitals will be won here. Following the public meeting I called two weeks ago, residents have set up ‘Save Hammersmith & Fulham Hospitals’ to coordinate campaigning. Please get involved by visiting the website campaign@saveourhospitals.net, and don’t forget to sign the petition
at www.ipetitions.com/petition/savehfnhs .
If you are not online, write to me at 28 Greyhound Road W6 8NX and I will keep you informed.
The consultation runs to October 8, but the final decision lies with the Secretary of State and will not be taken until next year. There is still time to save our hospitals.
