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Jeremy Hunt's Lewisham hospital cuts plan quashed at High Court Jeremy Hunt's Lewisham hospital cuts plan quashed at High Court
(about 1 hour later)
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has had his decision to reduce services at a major hospital declared unlawful and quashed by the High Court.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.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.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. The judge gave him permission to appeal against the decision.
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". Mr Justice Silber said recommendations of the Secretary of State had to have regard to, or be supported by, GP commissioners.
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. It was quite clear that the Lewisham GP commissioners did not give support to the proposals, said the judge.
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. 'Incredible day'
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. He went on: "On the contrary, they strongly opposed them although those GP commissioners in a number of surrounding but different areas were happy with them.
"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." "I considered that it was the absence of support from the local GP commissioners which constituted an additional reason why the decision of the Secretary of State cannot stand."
The challenge was brought by Save Lewisham Hospital and the London Borough of Lewisham.
Dr Louise Irvine, a local GP who chairs the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign, 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."
Rosa Curling, a lawyer with solicitors' firm Leigh Day acting for the campaigners, said it was a "tremendous victory".
She said: "This judgment should serve as a warning to the government that, if they try to do this, local communities will fight back to ensure their healthcare services remain in place."
In January Mr Hunt told MPs in the Commons that the cuts were necessary because neighbouring South London Healthcare NHS Trust has been losing more than £1m every week.
A spokesman said Mr Hunt's department was "disappointed by the decision" and would consider the judgment carefully.
He said: "This judgment applies to one aspect of a package of changes which we believe are in the best long-term interests of patients and the public across south-east London.
"We expect to continue other elements of that package of changes, including the dissolution of the South London Healthcare NHS Trust, planned for October 1 - although there are a number of steps to go before that can take place."