Closing the maternity and A&E services at King George Hospital and transferring them to Queen’s Hospital “in the current climate is ridiculous” according to MP Iain Duncan Smith.
The MP for Chingford and Woodford Green joined fellow Tory Lee Scott, the MP for Ilford North, and campaigners outside Redbridge Town Hall in High Road, Ilford, on Friday to voice their concerns about proposed changes.
King George Hospital in Barley Lane, Goodmayes, will not handle maternity deliveries from April but will continue to offer antenatal clinics, scans and parenting education.
Both services are due to move to Queen’s Hospital in Rom Valley Way, Romford.
Mr Duncan Smith said: “The idea that we could possibly survive without these services in the current climate is ridiculous.
“I have written to the Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt before and will write to him again.”
Mr Scott said he raised the issue with Mr Hunt this morning.
He said: “A&E affects people’s lives on a daily basis and it’s the most vitally important thing that people have contacted me on.”
A Barking Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust spokesman said there are no plans to close King George’s A&E in the near future.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here