Forum Topic

Hospital,Maternity and A&E Closures in NWL

NHS North West London let £13.4 million pounds worth of contracts to consultants in the 9 month period from April 2014. Some of these consultants are the very same as those who wrote the the Shafting a Healthier Future chaos. To my mind that is a long way from, "Changes planned and implemented by medics and clinicians who are now in charge of delivering their own programme."as outlined by Angie Bray in your news item. My big problem is that there are no independent medics or clinicians promoting these changes.Where there was a platform to promote these changes eg The Mansfield Inquiry, the medics who put their heads above the parapet and exposed themselves to cross examination spoke against these changes. Indeed throughout this long and ugly period since Shafting a Healthier Future first appeared only the "paid to promote" medics supported it. I wonder why.

Arthur Breens ● 3949d3 Comments

Sad ain't it replying to your own post. Even sadder that a date for the closure of Ealing's 5 Star maternity unit has been set at this afternoon's meeting of the CCCG. This is the beginning. In the words of that famous song,"You ain't seen nothing yet!"

Arthur Breens ● 3911d

Thanks for bringing this back for us Phil. I can always rely on you for a debate and for that I am sincerely grateful. I gave evidence at the IRP and was cross-examined at the Mansfield Inquiry. Having experienced both I eagerly await the Mansfield findings. I am just a patient but I was impressed by Drs Sandu, Khan and Lowe who spoke against. Khan has international research under her belt and published a book. I will check but I don't think any clinicians spoke for the Shafting our Healthier Future options. The only ones I understand who intend to speak for it after they have read all the criticisms are those that are paid. I am looking forward to their submissions and cross-examination soon to be held in Brent.

Arthur Breens ● 3927d

You might think that after five years of complaining about local NHS changes the local Labour types would expect some real meat from Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham when he came to Ealing on the eve of a general election and talked about changes to our local health system. On Saturday night (yes, this really is how Labour types spend their Saturday nights) Andy Burnham addressed a Labour NHS rally in Acton.  You can see a photo here tweeted by Labour MP Andy Slaughter showing a nurse in uniform (not very appropriate), comedienne Jo Brand, “Dr” Rupa Huq, Andy Burnham and GP, BMA official and Labour zealot Clare "fear of annihilation" Gerada.  .@andyburnhammp: I am minded not to proceed with those changes (to west London A&Es). Will demand full clinical review.— Andy Slaughter (@hammersmithandy) May 2, 2015According to Slaughter Burnham said:I am minded not to proceed with those changes (to west London A&Es). Will demand full clinical review.Whoah!  Strong language!  I am minded ...He doesn’t say: "I will roll back closures of Central Middlesex and Hammersmith A&Es."He doesn’t say: "I will keep the current A&Es as they are." He doesn’t say: "I will keep Ealing maternity services open."  No, he says: "I am minded not to proceed with those changes."  But he would not, in law, be able to make any changes without proper process and evidence.  His call for a “full clinical review” is his real offer and is just silly.  The Shaping a Healthier Future (SaHF) programme was produced by clinicians and reviewed by a body (with clinical skills) called the Independent Reconfiguration Panel which reviewed it and passed it.  The SaHF programme was never very attractive to Ealing residents and the only actor in this drama who has ever given us any respite is Conservative Secretary of State Jeremy Hunt who had representations from our MP Angie Bray and demanded that Ealing and Charing Cross A&Es stayed put.  Now after five years of Labour screaming blue murder Burnham promises us a review. Now we know from Burnham's own mouth to his own people what his offer is.  A review.  The most likely outcome from Burnham’s “full clinical review” is that it will find that SaHF is sound and let it roll on. Labour has spent five years belly aching about the consequences of Burnham’s own £20 billion Nicholson Challenge and Burnham now promises a review.  Talk about weak.

Phil Taylor ● 3928d