READERS of the Gazette learned recently of proposals which included closure of the stroke unit at Ealing Hospital.
We know that the proposal is part of reorganisation proposals from NHS London that all four trauma units in the capital will be centrally located, with local hospitals losing key emergency services.
We have all seen the TV adverts about strokes and the need to obtain hospitalisation as soon as possible. No one believes the plea that patients can be hospitalised within 30 minutes if these plans go through.
The plans, however, are much wider. The campaigning group London Health Emergency (LHE) has made public sight of a leaked document passed to the BBC. This outlines plans that could see the axing and down-scaling of services at five hospitals in North London alone, leaving just three major centres to cover the area.
This news is now in the public domain, having been reported several times on TV news. Pictures of hospitals have been shown and one of the threatened hospitals is named as Ealing.
The development of the NHS from 1947 was the greatest health advance for the British people in history.
LHE is seeking public exposure of these closure plans and they deserve as much vocal public support as possible.
ALAN ROGERS Southall
