�The future of major services at King George Hospital landed back in the in tray of the Secretary of State for Health today, as he mulls over a report which assesses the controversial plans.

Andrew Lansley is deciding whether to order a full review into proposals which could see the A&E and labour ward at the hospital in Barley Lane, Goodmayes, close for good as part of a shake-up in health services across north-east London.

The independent reconfiguration panel, which is made up of 17 members with a range of backgrounds in healthcare, has produced its initial assessment after a one-month probe into the King George plans.

It advises Mr Lansley whether a full review into the plans for King George is necessary.

The document will be kept private until the Health Secretary has made his decision based on the contents and advice of the report.

A spokesman for the panel said it would take about one month for that decision to be made.

If he does give a full review the thumbs up, the panel will reconvene for a probe which could last months.

Meanwhile commuters outside Ilford station, Cranbrook Road, were this morning asked to join the fight to keep the services at King George open.

Politicians including Ilford South MP Mike Gapes and Ilford North MP Lee Scott handed out leaflets which gave details of a campaign meeting in Redbridge Town Hall, High Road, Ilford, on April 8.

To view the proposals and to see the results of last year’s consultation into the plans, log on to www.healthfornel.nhs.uk.