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| Jeremy Hunt's Lewisham hospital cuts plan quashed at High Court | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has had his decision to reduce services at a major hospital declared unlawful and quashed by the High Court. | |
| Mr Justice Silber ruled Mr Hunt acted outside his powers when he announced casualty and maternity units at Lewisham Hospital would be downgraded. | |
| He said the Secretary of State had breached provisions of the National Health Services Act 2006. | |
| The challenge was brought by Lewisham council and Save Lewisham Hospital. | |
| Elisabeth Laing QC, for the council, told the judge at a recent hearing the hospital in south-east London was a "very good hospital" and the range of services provided there was "greatly valued by local people and by the council". | |
| When Mr Hunt told MPs his plans in January he said the cuts were necessary because neighbouring South London Healthcare NHS Trust has been losing more than £1m every week. | |
| Dr Louise Irvine, a local GP who chairs the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign, said she had been overwhelmed by the support from people around the UK. | |
| She said: "This is an incredible day. We are delighted for every single person who has supported the campaign and those who will now continue to benefit from this extraordinary hospital. | |
| "David Cameron himself said that there would be no 'top-down' approach to closures and we appreciate the court's decision, which should serve as a reminder to this government." |