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Lewisham Hospital: Protest against closure plan Lewisham Hospital: Protest against closure plan
(35 minutes later)
Thousands of people are demonstrating against proposals to close services at a hospital in south London. Thousands of people have marched in protest against proposals to close services at a hospital in south London.
Organisers campaigning to save Lewisham Hospital say 15,000 people are expected to take part in the march. Organisers campaigning to save Lewisham Hospital say the plans are "crazy and ill thought out".
Under proposals, its A&E will close and the maternity unit downgraded after the neighbouring South London Healthcare NHS Trust ran up debts of £150m.Under proposals, its A&E will close and the maternity unit downgraded after the neighbouring South London Healthcare NHS Trust ran up debts of £150m.
The government is to make its decision on the trust and the hospital on Friday. The government said "doing nothing is not an option" and is to make its decision on the trust on 1 February.
The trust, which runs three hospitals, was placed in administration last year when it started losing about £1.3m a week.The trust, which runs three hospitals, was placed in administration last year when it started losing about £1.3m a week.
Broken upBroken up
Matthew Kershaw, a special administrator, said in a report to the government that the trust should be broken up, with other organisations taking over the management and delivery of services.Matthew Kershaw, a special administrator, said in a report to the government that the trust should be broken up, with other organisations taking over the management and delivery of services.
If implemented fully, Mr Kershaw said his recommendations would result in a radical overhaul of services in south London, and help deliver "safe, high-quality, affordable and sustainable services."If implemented fully, Mr Kershaw said his recommendations would result in a radical overhaul of services in south London, and help deliver "safe, high-quality, affordable and sustainable services."
Mr Kershaw also recommended the Department of Health (DoH) write off any debts to ensure new organisations were not "saddled with the issues of the past".Mr Kershaw also recommended the Department of Health (DoH) write off any debts to ensure new organisations were not "saddled with the issues of the past".
"I have said consistently that the status quo is not an option, and I believe these final, refined recommendations are the right ones, although I appreciate that some people will find them difficult to accept," his report said."I have said consistently that the status quo is not an option, and I believe these final, refined recommendations are the right ones, although I appreciate that some people will find them difficult to accept," his report said.
Long-standing problems 'Huge clinical risks'
In November thousands of people marched in protest at the plans which would involve the closure of maternity and A&E services at Lewisham hospital.In November thousands of people marched in protest at the plans which would involve the closure of maternity and A&E services at Lewisham hospital.
Campaigners are angry that services at Lewisham, which is not part of the trust and is financially sound, are being targeted in order to make savings at a neighbouring trust.Campaigners are angry that services at Lewisham, which is not part of the trust and is financially sound, are being targeted in order to make savings at a neighbouring trust.
Under the plans the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site in Woolwich would come together with Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust to create a new organisation providing care for the communities of Greenwich and Lewisham.Under the plans the Queen Elizabeth Hospital site in Woolwich would come together with Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust to create a new organisation providing care for the communities of Greenwich and Lewisham.
The Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough, near Bromley, would be acquired by King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.The Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough, near Bromley, would be acquired by King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.
Local GP Dr Helen Tattersfield, from the Save Lewisham Hospital group, said: "If the government can close down Lewisham Hospital then no successful hospital in the country is safe." Dr Louise Irvine, a local GP and chairman of the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign, said: "This decision is crazy and ill thought out.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said he understood the concerns of people who would be affected by the proposals and would consider the report carefully. "It is a big mistake and carries huge clinical risks of things going wrong for patients but also political risk.
"If Jeremy Hunt can close a good local hospital here, he can do it anywhere in the country - nowhere is safe.
A DoH spokesman said: "Where trusts face long-standing problems we have been clear that doing nothing is not an option."A DoH spokesman said: "Where trusts face long-standing problems we have been clear that doing nothing is not an option."
The march went past Lewisham Hospital and ended with a festival in nearby Mountsfield Park.The march went past Lewisham Hospital and ended with a festival in nearby Mountsfield Park.