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Lewisham Hospital: Hunt announces A&E downgrade | |
(about 11 hours later) | |
The A&E department at Lewisham hospital in south-east London is to be downgraded to an "urgent care" ward as part of cost-cutting measures. | |
In the Commons, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced that a smaller ward would continue to operate. | |
The decision comes after neighbouring South London Healthcare NHS Trust (SLHT) ran up debts of £150m. | |
At least 15,000 people took part in a protest march against the plans on Saturday. | |
'Sham and shambles' | |
Maternity services at Lewisham Hospital will also be downgraded. | |
Mr Hunt confirmed that the SLHT will be dissolved by October 2013 and its hospitals re-configured. | |
Up to three quarters of those currently attending Lewisham A&E could attend the new service at the hospital, he said. | |
Patients with more serious conditions could be taken to other hospitals. | |
He said overall the proposals could save up to 100 lives per year through higher clinical standards. | |
Andy Burnham, shadow health secretary, said the move would "set dangerous precedents". | |
Joan Ruddock, Labour MP for Lewisham Deptford, said: "Today's proposals are a sham and a shambles and unacceptable to those who represent people in Lewisham. | |
He responded: "A sham and a shambles is what I inherited, not what I'm bequeathing." |