Conservatives will save the Whittington

NHS London’s plan seeks to shut down hospital services which are continuing to provide services which are needed by their local community.

This is right across London and includes our own Whittington A & E.

Their document, Delivering Healthcare for London: An Integrated Strategic Plan 2010-2015, provides further details.

It contains many examples of how NHS London is planning to make huge changes to hospital services in the capital:

· ‘The current configuration of hospital services is not making best use of taxpayers’ money’ (p.4).

· ‘Unless the pattern of services is changed quickly… overall financial stability of the NHS in London will be threatened’ (p.4).

However, their plans are based on confused assumptions that are not backed up with robust evidence. These include, for example, the assertion that ‘the current model for delivering healthcare in London is not affordable’ (p.4).

The review is being conducted in secret. It is a top-down process, not one based on the choices or patients and the referral decisions of GPs.

The people best-placed to design more effective local services, including better prevention, management of long-term conditions and integration of care, are the local GPs and the local authorities. But they have been largely shut out of this process.

It is not acceptable for busy emergency departments, out-patient clinics or maternity units, to be told they will have to shut while they are still seeing patients, and referrals are being made to them.

We will halt the current NHS London top-down process.

We will stop the planned closure of A&E or maternity units and make decisions on their future subject to the choice of patients and their GPs.

We will give real commissioning responsibilities to local GP consortia. Together with the boroughs, we will give them power to commission the local services needed.

In London, we will work with the Mayor on a London-wide public-health strategy.

We will commission on a London-wide basis only those specialist services whose scale demands such an approach, for example, major trauma and Ambulance Services.

We will ensure that decisions are open, evidence-based and responsive to public views and patient choice.

We have heard nothing from the Lib Dems on what their plans are. As for Labour - this is the result of its actions.

Save the Whittington: vote Conservative