A plan to close King George Hospital’s A&E at night from next month will not happen, health bosses have insisted, despite the proposals being published in a report.
The report by Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), revealed a provisional 2015 date for the long-planned closure of the A&E at the hospital in Barley Lane, Goodmayes, as well as night closures.
Shutting A&Es overnight is a routine measure as services are scaled down for a closure.
But a BHRUT spokesman said such closures have not been given the green light.
She said closing King George A&E to blue light ambulances at night would allow staff to be transferred to Queen’s, in Romford, to “strengthen” the care there.
She added: “With the shortage of permanent staff in the Queen’s A&E and facing unprecedented demand from an increase in ambulances, it is only right we look at every option to make sure we can provide the best care to emergency patients.
“No decision has been taken on a night closure and no date has been set.
“We must consider this as an option, because very few patients come to King George in a blue light ambulance at night and we have to use our staff to best meet the community’s needs.”
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