CAMPAIGNERS, patients and others in the borough are being asked for their thoughts on proposals to merge A&E departments – again.

The Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) is collecting petitions, viewpoints and evidence from everyone in west and north west London on the Shaping a Healthier Future plans, after Ealing Council referred the decision to the secretary of state, triggering a review.

Under the proposals, the A&E department at Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal would close and the site would be downgraded to an elective centre.

The IRP has already visited Northwick Park Hospital in Harrow, Ealing Hospital and Central Middlesex Hospital, ahead of submitting a report to the health secretary in September.

Lord Ribeiro, chairman of the IRP said: “The panel is in listening mode and this visit to Ealing was an important part of our evidence gathering process, during which we are seeking to hear from all those who may be affected by the proposed changes, including patients and their families.

“We are visiting a number of areas in north west London as part of our review and taking a wide range of evidence and would like to encourage people to contact the IRP to share their views.”

The panel will consider whether the proposed changes to services in north west London will enable the provision of safe, sustainable and accessible services.

Brent Council is putting together a report to submit to the IRP.

Brent Council leader Muhammed Butt met shadow secretary of state for health, Andy Burnham at the threatened hospital.

Mr Butt said: “I am grateful to Andy Burnham for visiting Central Middlesex to see first hand just how huge the implications of allowing the Shaping the Healthier Future proposals to go ahead without being properly scrutinised could be.

“It is important that the plans are subject to robust and independent scrutiny by the IRP so that the modelling and assumptions built into the proposals are properly tested to prevent them from putting residents’ lives at risk.”

Anyone can send information, views, petitions or evidence, whether it is new or was submitted as part of the original consultation process, to the IRP by emailing info@irpanel.org.uk, writing to IRP, 6th Floor, 157-197 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SP, or leaving a voice message on: 020 7389 8046.

The deadline for submissions is August 16, but the IRP is requesting information as soon as possible.