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Hounslow Liberal Democrats |
NHS Facebook page and petition launched as NHS Hounslow wobbles on new GP surgery for Brentford
April 10, 2010 12:00 AM
Vince Cable MP, Cllr Andrew Dakers, other local councillors and campaigners outside West Middlesex Hospital
Cllr Dakers and Cllr Wilson, Lib Dem Prospective MPs for Brentford & Isleworth and Feltham & Heston constituencies, are urging residents to show their support for NHS Hounslow and the West Middlesex hospital on Facebook. They also want residents to sign an online petition. Early in 2010 it was suggested that five of the eight A&Es in the north-west London sector were at risk of closure. At the NHS Hounslow board meeting on 8th April Cllr Dakers asked their Chief Executive Nick Relph for his views on the possible closure of A&E. His failure to give a clear response indicates that there is a very real risk of A&E closure. Post-general election expenditure cuts will increase the threat. The NHS Hounslow board also appeared to be "wobbling" on their previous commitment to a new GP surgery in Brentford.
Cllr Andrew Dakers, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Brentford & Isleworth Constituency, said:
"Mr Relph's response to my question about possible closure indicates that a huge amount of uncertainty remains around the future of A&E at the West Middlesex. He correctly highlights that there is a need to be clear about what type of A&E services are needed and where they are best located.
"The shame is that the recent NHS Hounslow information booklet does not even give a detailed breakdown of services provided by GPs, let alone the A&Es at local hospitals. This makes patient choice a fantasy.
"NHS Hounslow promised a new GP surgery to the people of Brentford but is now wobbling on this, suggesting that it might instead be located in Isleworth. An additional surgery is needed to address significant local population growth in Brentford. U-turns like this do not build community confidence and trust in the local NHS.
"NHS Hounslow has promised to send me a detailed specification of the building they require and I will then discuss this with local housing developers and community leaders in Brentford. If Isleworth needs more GP capacity then we will fight for this too.
"I welcome the news that NHS Hounslow is now going to push for a cancellation of its £20m+ debts in forthcoming funding negotiations. If elected as MP they will have my full backing in negotiating this fair deal for Hounslow residents and health professionals in the borough."
Cllr Munira Wilson, Lib Dem Prospective MP for Feltham & Heston Constituency, added:
"Andrew and I are remaining vigilant to the real dangers facing debt ridden NHS Hounslow and the West Middlesex hospital. It would be terrible if West Middlesex A&E were to close as patients would have to travel further, which would surely present real clinical risks. Please sign our petition for NHS Hounslow petition and become of fan of NHS Hounslow on Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/NHSHounslow ."
Vince Cable MP, Lib Dem MP for Twickenham and Shadow Chancellor said:
"Many of my constituents are dependent on the West Middlesex hospital for a whole range of health services. The hospital has been weighed down by debt and changes in senior management for far too long."
NOTES TO EDITORS
1. The suggestion of closures came from the North West London Commissioning Partnership (NWLCP).
2. In the January 2010 NWLCP report it was stated "the Board of West Middlesex Hospital Trust have recently clarified that they do not believe that their organisation has an independent future. This position is supported across the Sector and we believe there is clinical logic for them to be partnered with another Trust. We are currently working on proposals for next steps, which will involve a competitive process." Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/10_02_10_ae.pdf
3. One third of A&E units in London 'could close', BBC News Online, 10 Feb 2010, http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8506565.stm
4. For many years Cllr Dakers has called for NHS Hounslow to be given a fair deal on their inherited debt: http://www.hounslowlibdems.org.uk/news/000140/hounslow_primary_care_trust_needs_to_be_given_a_fair_deal.html
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