Three of Redbridge’s most senior Labour politicians have written to the health secretary urging him to stop the closure of King George Hospital’s A&E.
Ilford North MP Wes Streeting, Ilford South MP Mike Gapes and Redbridge Council leader Councillor Jas Athwal sent an open letter to Jeremy Hunt on June 19, calling on him to reverse the decision.
The borough’s only emergency department, in Barley Lane, Goodmayes, was identified for closure in 2011 by Mr Hunt’s predecessor Andrew Lansley.
The A&E is scheduled to close in 2019, but only if neighbouring hospitals can cope with the demand.
On an election campaign visit in May Mr Hunt said the emergency unit wouldn’t close in the “foreseeable future”.
The three Labour politicians said the health secretary has “left ambiguity and uncertainty over our already challenged health economy”.
“Precious resources, in terms of money and management capacity, are being expended on an issue which it would appear you have already made a decision,” they wrote.
“We therefore ask you to finally settle this matter and formally state that the decision to close King George Hospital A&E has been reversed.”
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