Statement by Nick Raynsford MP on suggested reconfiguration of hospital services in South East London.

“Over recent months there has been much speculation about possible changes to the way in which NHS services are delivered by the four South East London Hospitals – The Queen Elizabeth Woolwich, Queen Mary’s Sidcup, Lewisham Hospital and Bromley Hospital. 

Throughout this period I have been in regular contact with the Queen Elizabeth Hospital management and the Greenwich Teaching Primary Care Trust.  I have emphasised throughout that I have no objection to proposals designed to improve the quality of medical care in South East London, but meeting the needs of patients must be the prime concern in any proposed reconfiguration of services.

Against that background any suggestion that the needs of South East London can be met by two hospitals only, without proper analysis of patient needs, is in my view inappropriate and unjustified.  I have made strong representations to the Chairman of the London NHS Provider Agency, Lord Warner on this point. 

It is therefore my view that the proposals emerging from the discussions between the clinicians at the four hospitals should continue, together with a detailed analysis about the way in which any reconfiguration of services will impact on the public.  In this the Primary Care Trusts will need to be closely involved.  No presumptions should be made in advance of such analysis about the role which each of the four existing hospitals should play in future.  In my view it is difficult to envisage any outcome that does not involve a continuing role for all four hospitals, even if there are changes in the specialisms and range of services delivered on any one site.