Below and inset : images are of previous marches in support of preserving the status of local hospitals
HOSPITALS the programme A & Es have already been closed at Central Middlesex and Hammersmith hospitals as well as maternity and children ’ s A & E services at Ealing Hospital .
‘ AXING TWO MORE A & ES IS TERRIFYING ’ Councillor Bell said : “ I know the people of Ealing have huge respect for NHS staff and the care they provide and we all want to see improved outof-hospital and preventative care .
“ But axing two more A & Es in this area is a terrifying prospect . Our remaining A & Es are already creaking under the strain of increasing demand , so we believe stripping out a further 500 acute beds is unsafe and must be stopped . Moving A & Es further away from our residents
makes no sense to us . Ambulance response times for the most serious cases in Ealing , where life-saving treatment is needed , are already failing to meet the eight-minute response target .”
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ? The NHS will shortly begin public engagement on the proposed changes to local health services , including those provided in hospitals as well as planned improvements to primary care .
Ealing Council will respond to the NHS proposals using the results of the 2015 independent inquiry led by Michael Mansfield QC and the views expressed by local people at the meeting in February .
You can make your views known , too . Visit www . ealing . gov . uk / soh to find out more and sign up for email updates .
What can I do ?
Find out more about the NHS plans , sign up to receive email updates and find out how you can get involved : n Visit www . ealing . gov . uk / soh
The NHS proposals at a glance
Ealing Hospital by 2022 : n Remove emergency ‘ blue-light ’ ambulances n Remove critical care n Potentially remove all surgery .
around ealing Spring 2017 39