Petition to overturn A&E closures in London launched by Labour

A host of Labour London MPs, Assembly Members and councillors handed in a petition to Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt asking him to review the proposed A+E closures in the capital. Picture: Alain Tolhurst

Alain Tolhurst Monday, July 8, 2013
1:49 PM

Labour?s London MPs and the Shadow Health Secretary Andy Burnham handed a petition to the Department of Health urging a rethink on A&E closures in the capital.

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The group want Jeremy Hunt to personally look at recent figures about waiting times and take into account the impact of cuts to social care is having on hospital admissions.

Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West and Deputy Shadow Minister for London, said the petitioners, including councillors and London assembly members, hope fresh medical evidence can convince the Secretary of State for Health to halt the closures of A&E departments and the downgrading of hospitals across London.

Alongside Mr Hunt?s opposite number Mr Burnham at the handover were doctors and nurses from London hospitals opposed to the cuts, as well as the Shadow Minister for London and Tooting MP Sadiq Khan.

He said the changes across the NHS will have a ?disproportionate effect on Londoners?, and also urged the Government to rethink the cost-saving measures.

Mr Khan said: ?David Cameron and the Conservatives promised before the election not to engage in a top-down reorganisation of the NHS, and not to cut frontline services.

?They have broken those pledges.?

The group opposing the cuts met outside the Department of Health headquarters in Westminster on Friday evening before Mr Burnham handed the petition over to the minister?s office.

Source: http://www.london24.com/petition_to_overturn_a_e_closures_in_london_launched_by_labour_1_2269419

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