Labour Pledges to Save Charing Cross Hospital
"Shaping a Healthier Future" plan would be immediately halted
The Labour Party has pledged to halt plans to demolish Charing Cross Hospital if elected as the new government.
Visiting west London at the weekend, Andy Burnham, Labour’s Health Spokesperson, promised to halt immediately the Conservatives’ "Shaping a Healthier Future" programme that has closed Hammersmith and Central Middlesex A&Es and would mean the demolition of Charing Cross Hospital.
Speaking at a rally in Acton, Mr Burnham said a Labour Government will immediately halt further changes to the NHS in north west London until a full consultation, based on clinical need rather than budget pressures, has taken place.
In a statement following the rally, held to support Labour's candidate for Ealing Central & Acton Rupa Huq, Andy Burnham said: "One of the biggest failures of this Government has been the chaotic and damaging NHS closures in north west London. It’s no surprise waiting times are some of the worst in the country – remaining A&Es have been put under intolerable pressure, simply unable to absorb any more pressure.
" With the planned review and downgrading of Ealing and Charing Cross, things could get even worse under the Tories, putting patient safety further at risk.
" A Labour government will call an immediate halt to further changes to the NHS in north west London. We will launch a new clinical review that properly takes the views of local patients on board and prevents a full blown crisis developing across London’s hospitals. "
You can see Andy Burnham make the call here.
May 7, 2015