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Lewisham Hospital: Decision expected over closure plan Lewisham Hospital: Hunt announces A&E downgrade
(about 11 hours later)
A decision is expected later on plans to close the Accident and Emergency department at Lewisham Hospital in south-east London and downgrade its maternity unit. 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.
The proposal came after neighbouring South London Healthcare NHS Trust (SLHT) ran up debts of £150m. In the Commons, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt announced that a smaller ward would continue to operate.
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is expected to announce whether an "urgent care" ward will replace the A&E. The decision comes after neighbouring South London Healthcare NHS Trust (SLHT) ran up debts of £150m.
At least 15,000 people marched in protest on Saturday. At least 15,000 people took part in a protest march against the plans on Saturday.
'Dangerous precedent' 'Sham and shambles'
SLHT, which runs three hospitals, was placed in administration last year when it started losing about £1.3m a week. Maternity services at Lewisham Hospital will also be downgraded.
Under the plans, the trust's Queen Elizabeth Hospital site in Woolwich would come together with Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust to create a new organisation. Mr Hunt confirmed that the SLHT will be dissolved by October 2013 and its hospitals re-configured.
Lewisham's A&E unit would then be downgraded to an urgent care centre, meaning emergency cases would be seen at nearby hospitals. The maternity unit at Lewisham could also be slimmed down, with complex cases being dealt with elsewhere. Up to three quarters of those currently attending Lewisham A&E could attend the new service at the hospital, he said.
Shadow health secretary Andy Burnham said closing the A&E of a successful trust would set a "dangerous precedent". Patients with more serious conditions could be taken to other hospitals.
The closures are part of a radical overhaul proposed by special administrator, Matthew Kershaw, in response to SLHT going into administration. He said overall the proposals could save up to 100 lives per year through higher clinical standards.
The reorganisation proposed is intended to save around £42m from the payroll budget. Andy Burnham, shadow health secretary, said the move would "set dangerous precedents".
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." 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.
The government has said "doing nothing is not an option". He responded: "A sham and a shambles is what I inherited, not what I'm bequeathing."