Reviewing changes to healthcare in the area
The second of four evidence gathering sessions to investigate changes to healthcare in west London took place in Ealing on Saturday.
The changes reviewed included the closures of A&Es at Hammersmith and Central Middlesex hospitals last September, as well as plans to demolish Ealing and Charing Cross hospitals, replacing them with much smaller hospitals. Other aspects considered were the changes to maternity services in Ealing.
Contributors included a hospital consultant, local doctors, a midwife from Ealing Hospital, residents and representatives from Ealing Healthwatch and Ealing Save Our NHS Action Group.
Local politicians also gave evidence including: Stephen Pound MP; Dr Onkar Sahota, GLA Assembly Member, Councillor Julian Bell, leader of the council; and Councillor Hitesh Tailor, cabinet member for adults, health and well-being.
The Health Commission, which is led by Barrister Michael Mansfield QC, was set up by Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham and Hounslow councils, which have raised serious concerns about the scale, speed and safety of the changes and the ability of the remaining services to cope with the extra demand. It is the largest reorganisation ever undertaken in NHS history.
Councillor Julian Bell, said: “We all know how important our local health services are and so it was really important to bring such a diverse group of experts together and watch them provide their evidence to the commission.
“It was good to see our residents supporting this by listening to the information presented to the commission. I would encourage anyone with an interest in finding out more to go along to either the Hounslow or Brent sessions.”
The first session was held on 14 March at Hammersmith Town Hall and further meetings will take place at Hounslow Civic Centre on 28 March and at Brent Civic Centre on 9 May.
26th March 2015