Around 2,000 doctors, nurses and patients took to the streets of Chelsea on Saturday (March 18) in protest against NHS England’s proposal to close the vital congenital heart disease (CHD) service at Royal Brompton Hospital.
Organisers say the number is double what they were expecting, after NHS England announced its intention to axe the service last year.
Among those who attended was ex Royal Brompton patient and former Speaker of the House of Commons Baroness Boothroyd, who told NHS England: “Get your meddling hands off our hospital.”
The hospital, in Sydney Street operates the largest CHD service in the UK, and consistently has among the best patient outcomes in the country, and also has high satisfaction levels, with more than 98% of patients saying that they would recommend the cardiology service.
Among the marchers were patients, parents of patients, doctors and nurses who vehemently oppose the plans, which will affect an estimated 14,000 patients and would result in the closure of other vital services, such as the hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit, children’s cystic fibrosis service and children’s asthma service.
The hospital’s world-class CHD research team would also be destroyed if the plan goes ahead, it is claimed.
Baroness Sally Morgan, Chair of Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Foundation Trust was the first of a number of speakers to give rousing speeches before the march.
Chelsea and Fulham MP Greg Hands promised to take the issue directly to the health minister in charge of hospital care.
Baroness Boothroyd said: “I have been a patient at Royal Brompton for many years and have had the most superb care and treatment.
"Royal Brompton has an outstanding record with among the best patient outcomes in the country.
“Closure of the CHD Services by NHS England is an ill thought out proposal. It would mean the hospital could no longer sustain its paediatric intensive care unit and treatment of some of the most complex and rare respiratory diseases would end.
"World-leading heart disease research would also suffer.
“Why is so much money and energy being spent on a proposal to close the largest and best resourced CHD team in the country? “This reckless idea must be stopped. I fully support the campaign to persuade NHS England to change its mind.
“Royal Brompton must continue doing the job in which excels."
The march to save these vital services has been organised by the three charities associated with the hospital - The Brompton Fountain, Friends of Royal Brompton Hospital and Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity.
In a joint statement, the groups said: “The sheer determination of the people to come and join the march speaks volumes about the outrage we feel at the proposal to close such a world-class service at Royal Brompton Hospital.
"We urge NHS England to drop this destructive proposal and to put patients first – Brompton patients matter.”
On the day supporters also wore red in a display of solidarity, and made banners imploring NHS England to reconsider the proposals.
A public consultation was launched in February and is running for 16 weeks until June 5. It can be seen here.
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