Emergency and maternity services are to be downgraded at a major London hospital, health secretary Jeremy Hunt said Thursday, despite a weekend march by more than 20,000 protesters seeking to save the units.
The government has decided to “centralise very specialist emergency care at four sites in South East London”, leading to the downgrade in Lewisham, a statement from the Department of Health said.
Hunt rejected plans to close the A&E and maternity units entirely, which sparked a protest march at the weekend in which locals held placards reading “I was born at Lewisham Hospital” or “My life was saved at Lewisham Hospital”.
“Lewisham Hospital will retain its ability to admit patients with less serious conditions, and will continue to have 24/7 senior medical emergency cover, allowing it to remain open as a working A&E department treating up to 75 percent of the patients who currently use it,” said Hunt in a statement.
But the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign condemned the changes, saying in a statement on its website: “Hunt’s decision has gone against us — he proposes a reduced A and E unit, and the removal of Lewisham’s clinically excellent maternity and children’s services under the guise of providing ‘better health services’.”
“Won’t be a proper A+E. Won’t see sick people or admit them. Just see minor illness. Wards/beds close,” the campaign added on its Twitter account.
Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust said in a statement that it was “disappointed” by Hunt’s move but would need more detail in order to comment fully.
“The Trust Board response to the consultation was clear that we believe Lewisham needs full emergency and obstetric services,” it added.
Lewisham Hospital has fallen victim to financial troubles at the neighbouring South London Healthcare NHS Trust, which is losing £1 million a week, according to government figures.
That trust is to be dissolved and its hospitals taken over by nearby trusts, which will also face some reorganisation.
The Department of Health insisted the changes would only mean two to three extra minutes in an ambulance or car to access the specialist emergency or maternity services.
The Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government is carrying out a major restructuring of the National Health Service, prompting heavy criticism from doctors and campaign groups.
Key services to be downgraded at Lewisham hospital
