MP and councillors to call on Health Secretary to review ward closures
- Credit: Photo: Arnaud Stephenson
Politicians are calling on the Secretary of State for Health to intervene in a decision to close two units at Wanstead Hospital.
Labour councillors and MP for Leyton and Wanstead, John Cryer, will ask Jeremy Hunt to refer the planned closure of Heronwood and Galleon wards to the government’s Independent Reconfiguration Panel which reviews changes to NHS services.
Redbridge, Havering and Barking and Dagenham Clinical Commissioning Groups Clinical Commissioning Groups voted to close the units, which provide rehabilitation care to patients after operations and illnesses.
They will be replaced by community treatment teams which will visit people in their own homes.
The decision has prompted opposition from Healthwatch Redbridge, Redbridge Carers’ Support Service and a 5,000 strong petition from residents.
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The formal call for the Health Secretary’s intervention will be made this month at Redbridge Council’s health scrutiny committee.
Mr Cryer said: “These proposals are wrong-headed and the consultation process was deeply flawed. I’ve been overwhelmed with feedback from members of the public who want to see the much-loved service at Heronwood and Galleon kept open.
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“I’m glad that residents have been listened to by our councillors and I will fighting their corner in Parliament.”
Redbridge CCG said the decision to close the wards will mean more people will get better care, more quickly and be less likely to need a stay in hospital.
Dr Mehul Mathukia, clinical director of integrated care has reassured patients said: “We have been clear all along that anyone who needs a community rehab bed will get one .”
