MPs join battle to save Whittington A&E from axe
MPs are using their political muscle in an attempt to save The Whittington Hospital's accident and emergency from being axed.
Veteran Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn has tabled a motion demanding that services at The Whittington, in Magdala Avenue, Archway, must be protected.
His fight is being backed by six Labour colleagues including Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury, and Frank Dobson, a former health secretary and the MP for Holborn and St Pancras.
The motion calls on NHS London to "ensure the continued existence of The Whittington Hospital inclusive of its major services".
Mr Corbyn added: "The idea that The Whittington should be downsized in any shape or form is totally unacceptable."
The North Central London NHS is planning to downgrade The Whittington to a "local" hospital. As such, they are considering whether it still needs an A&E or an intensive care unit.
Meanwhile, The Whittington is holding talks about a possible merger with the Royal Free Hospital in Pond Street, Hampstead - which could also result in cuts to one or other of the hospitals.
There has been a flurry of protest since the news.
Residents and councillors gathered outside The Whittington insisting that the A&E - which sees 80,000 people a year - must stay. If it goes, patients would have to travel to the Royal Free in Hampstead, University College Hospital in Euston or the North Middlesex Hospital in Edmonton.
Protester Lorraine Constantinou said: "The least residents expect is it that if the worst happens, we can go to the A&E at our local hospital."
Councillor Tracy Ismail, a Liberal Democrat on Islington Council, said: "People need to know in an emergency there is somewhere nearby they can go to get the treatment they need."
Trade unionists in Haringey, Islington, Camden and Enfield are also considering launching a campaign
Haringey TUC, which is spearheading the talks, is angry that there would not be an A&E in either Islington or Haringey if The Whittington's casualty closed.
Chairman Keith Flett said: "We want a pledge that jobs and services will be maintained."
NHS chiefs insist that no decision has yet been taken. A spokesman for the North Central London NHS said: "The review is still at a very early stage.
"Any proposals will require formal consultation and further discussion with health professionals, patients and the public. So it would be wrong to jump to any early conclusions.
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