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Frank Dobson |
A&E closure could spell the end for Whittington
MPs issue dire warnings in House of Commons debate
JEREMY Corbyn MP warned the House of Commons late last night (Wednesday) that the Whittington Hospital in its entirety is threatened with closure.
The Labour MP for Islington North had secured an adjournment debate on “The Future of the Whittington” in the main chamber of Parliament.
It followed exclusive reports in the New Journal and its sister newspaper the Islington Tribune that the Highgate hospital could be stripped of its emergency department as part of massive cuts to funding. To stave off the shortfall, the Whittington could be forced to merge with the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead.
The late-night discussion was attended by a half dozen MPs including Holborn and St Pancras MP Frank Dobson and the health minister Mike O’Brien MP.
Mr Corbyn, wearing his trademark blue suit, told the Commons: “I have spoken at length with people at the hospital and with the Primary Care Trust. If the emergency unit is taken out it means major surgery cannot take place in other parts of the hospital – because the A&E is a back-up unit. I see this as part of a trajectory that ends up with closure of the hospital.”
The hospital is in discussions with the Royal Free about forming a “single organisation” and sharing patient services.
Mr Dobson said any closure of the accident and emergency unit, which treats 80,000 patients each year, could stretch the Royal Free to breaking point.
He said: “They are already turning away patients for elective surgery because of the number of emergency cases they are dealing with. They are getting far too many patients already.”
Mr Corbyn said: “We are determined to defend the Whittington and we hope that the minister understands the passion that is felt locally about it.”
Hospitals in the North Central London NHS sector are facing cuts of between £600million and £900million over the next five years.
Mr O’Brien said: “I want to make it very clear that there should be no slash and burn cuts to the NHS and no pre-dating of the Chancellor’s settlements or election outcomes. If it is true that any changes mean the quality of care will not be better for local people, then any reconfigurations should not take place. The case for the closure of the Whittington A&E is yet to be made. There are no firm proposals at present.
“Discussions with the Royal Free have not yet been heard by either hospitals board.”
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