Doctors and campaigners fighting to save hospitals in west London will hold a public meeting on the NHS next week.
Dr John Lister from Health Emergency and Dr Louise Irvine from the successful campaign to save Lewisham Hospital in south London are among the panel at Ealing Town Hall on Wednesday, March 26.
The debate has been organised by Save Our Hospitals campaign and Ealing’s Trades Union Council.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt confirmed in October NHS plans to close A&Es and downgrade services at Ealing, Charing Cross, Hammersmith and Central Middlesex hospitals.
Ealing Council leader Julian Bell will chair next week’s meeting from 7.30pm to discuss the findings of a public inquiry into London’s health service which is due to be published on Thursday (Mar 20).
Six inquiry panellists, including Guardian commentator Polly Toynbee, health policy analyst Roy Lilley, and Frank Wood, Unite union executive member and pathologist at Kings College Hospital, examined submissions from doctors, clinicians, politicians and patients before writing the report.
Oliver New, from Ealing TUC’s Save Our NHS campaign, said: “Some politicians have been deliberately misleading the public by proclaiming that the A&E departments have been saved.
“Sadly, that’s just hype to undermine the ongoing campaign to keep our much needed health services. NHS England and the Government still intend to take away senior doctors and blue light ambulances, they still intend to close hundreds of beds and knock down hospital buildings.
“The public meeting will highlight what is really going on in Ealing and across London.”
