CONCERNED doctors have added their objections to plans to close accident and emergency departments in Hammersmith and Fulham.
The Central Hammersmith GP Network, which represents five doctor's surgeries and quarter of the borough's population, are rebelling against NHS North West London's controversial scheme.
It would see Hammersmith and Charing Cross hospitals downgraded and losing their A&E services - alongside Ealing and Central Middlesex - and closed a 14-week public consultation last month.
The doctors’ group has written to NHS North West London’s director Daniel Elkeles, about their fears for local health services if the plans are approved next year.
They said: “The proposed closure of the emergency departments at both Charing Cross Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital gives both our patients and we GPs a high level of concern as to how this service will be provided in the future.
“The reasoning behind these proposals remains unclear to us and to our patients despite the recent events and meetings in Hammersmith & Fulham. There appears to be a lack of detail to support the propositions and to help patients and GPs understand the move from hospital based care to a more community based care service.
“In particular, the proposals offer non-admission alternatives to in patient care and the displacement of services for critically ill patients to hospitals outside of this area may well have an adverse effect on outcomes. The downgrading of these services locally cannot be replaced by an 'elastoplast' alternative model of care.”
Their fears have been backed up by Hammersmith and Fulham Council who organised a 50,000 signature strong petition alongside the Save Our Hospitals campaign group throughout the consultation.
It also comes a week after NHS North West London said GPs across the region, which covers just under two million patients, backed their proposals.
Councillor Marcus Ginn, community care leader, said: “Only last week the NHS tried to claim that clinicians back their plans to downgrade local hospitals but we now know this is simply not true. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the GPs who realise that the community care that will be needed to look after residents’ health is not yet ready to deal with thousands of extra, displaced patients.
“We are urging NHS North West London to listen to these doctors, who know the area and work every day with our residents in the heart of our community, and to take their concerns seriously."
