31/01/2013

Fight to protect Lewisham services will go on

“Downgrading the A&E department and closing maternity services at Lewisham Hospital will have long term consequences for the capital,” UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis warned today.

The union said the campaign to protect these services showed there was still a widespread willingness to fight and keep NHS services safe and local.

Responding to today’s announcement by the Health Secretary, the union accused the government of failing to listen to the concerns and arguments of clinicians, patients, hospital staff, unions and the local community, but insisted the campaign would go on.

UNISON acknowledged the role of specialist trauma centres in saving lives in parallel with existing A&E services, but warned a reduced, stretched service could prove a dangerous replacement for the current Lewisham provision.

Dave Prentis went on to say:

“The campaign to protect Lewisham’s A&E and maternity services has shown that people are willing to stand up and fight to keep their NHS safe and local. Hospital staff and local people will be shocked and outraged by today’s decision, but the campaign to preserve these vital and highly valued services will go on.

“The long-term impact of the downgrade – and whether today's announcement is just a repackaging of the original plans – remains to be seen. We know that a major reorganisation of emergency services is planned, which makes today’s decision even more premature.

“Lewisham is not the first and won’t be the last hospital to come under attack by this Government. Its disastrous NHS reorganisation and squeezes on funding are causing cuts and closures across the country.

“The public will continue to make their voices heard, and to fight for their NHS, and UNISON will continue to support them.”

Lewisham Hospital should never have been caught up in the financial difficulties of the South London Healthcare Trust said the union, as the hospital is on a sound financial footing.

There are currently around 34 A&E departments across the country that could be closed or downgraded.

In addition 7,000 nurses have been axed since 2010.

Around 500 hospital workers at Mid Yorkshire hospital are currently on strike over the threat of 70 compulsory redundancies and pay cuts.