Bexley Councillors Demand The Government Acts To Save Queen Mary's Hospital
Bexley Council's Health & Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee has decided
to refer the recent Joint Committee of PCT's decision on the 'A Picture of
Health' proposals to the Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson MP.
At a specially convened meeting held on Monday (4 August) to consider the
implications of the Joint Committee's recommendations for Queen Mary's Hospital,
Councillors expressed their anger at the decision, which means that Queen Mary's
will no longer be able to offer A&E, maternity and children's in-patient
services.
Cllr David Hurt, the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee, said: "The Members
of the Committee were very disappointed that our concerns and those of Bexley
residents have not been listened to. We strongly believe that the consultation
was flawed and the decisions taken are not in the interests of the NHS in the
area."
Cllr Teresa O'Neill, Leader of the London Borough of Bexley, added: "We
have been left with no choice other than to refer the matter to the Secretary
of State. We will fight this decision and ensure that the views of the residents
of Bexley are heard."
Members of the Scrutiny Committee are currently working with Council officers
to formulate the formal referral to the Secretary of State.
