Leaked NHS plans confirm fears over future of Kingston Hospital's A&E (From Surrey Comet)

Leaked NHS plans confirm fears over future of Kingston Hospital's A&E

Further documents confirming the threat to Kingston Hospital have been leaked to two MPs leading campaign against the plans.

Susan Kramer, MP for Richmond Park and Edward Davey, MP for Kingston and Surbiton, launched a pre-emptive campaign to save Kingston Hospital after NHS bosses told them the accident and emergency and maternity units were under threat.

A new document released by the pair this week reiterated that threat, and Vince Cable, MP for Twickenham, said he has been told there will be a formal consultation on cuts in services and reorganisation – but not before the autumn.

A document from a Healthcare for South West London presentation to a meeting of NHS Kingston was leaked this week, its front page stating its content should not be released under the Freedom of Information Act.

The presentation confirms much of what was said in leaked extracts from the South West London Strategic Plan, which details the NHS’ ideas.

It also revealed a clinical strategy group had ruled out keeping the four hospitals in the area – Kingston, St Helier in Carshalton, Mayday in Croydon and St George’s in Tooting – open around the clock, although further analysis of the four hospital option was being considered.

The new document stated: “Options with four hot sites [as it is currently in south-west London] appear financially unsustainable.”

It also stated plans for just two A&E and maternity units in the area had been ruled out by clinicians but savings must be found for the 2011-12 financial year.

It concludes with next steps, including a message to submit a final version of the plan to NHS London, but not publish it for the public.

Ms Kramer and Mr Davey took part in a debate in the House of Commons on Tuesday about healthcare in London, where MPs from all sides criticised the NHS for not revealing more details about its plans for the future.

Ms Kramer said: “This new document makes it clear there is a lot being done.

“The biggest battle is going to be on disclosure and how we bring people into the decision-making process.”

Ms Kramer said although the Conservatives criticised the plans in Parliament they had not provided an alternative.

She said Liberal Democrat policy states healthcare trusts should be accountable to the public, and the public must be involved in decision making.

Zac Goldsmith, Conservative candidate for Ms Kramer’s Richmond Park parliamentary constituency, said: “Our job is to make sure there’s a change of Government. That is the only way to properly safeguard the hospital against cuts. In the meantime it’s really important politicians resist using our hospitals as political footballs.”

A Healthcare for South West London spokeswoman said: “We will involve patients and the public in developing our ideas – there will be no changes without consultation. But doing nothing is not an option for the NHS in London.”

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