Autumn Consultation on Local NHS Cuts

2.51.32pm GMT Mon 8th Mar 2010

Local MPs have been told by NHS London that proposed cuts and reorganisations involving local hospitals would be subject to a formal consultation, but not before the autumn ("at the earliest").

A key element in the new structure of services will be local 'polycentres' and one, for Twickenham/Teddington/Hampton, will be centred at Teddington Memorial Hospital. There will, as a consequence, be less need for district hospitals in some aspects of care.

But Vincent Cable MP has been told by a leading official of one of the local NHS Trusts that major cuts - up to 25% in real terms - are being planned over 5 years. That is why Kingston Hospital's services are seen as being under threat.

Vincent Cable said: "No-one doubts that there will be serious cuts. And it would be unrealistic to exclude the NHS altogether. There is far too much bureaucracy including - at least - three tiers of decision making in London. This is where 'efficiency savings' have to come from; not by taking a big bite out of services which currently operate efficiently, to full capacity, as they do at Kingston Hospital."