Letter to Bromley Extra

Your report Prof. Sir George Alberti as saying, in relation to the likely loss of A & E services at Queen Mary’s Hospital, that “it is obvious that no change is not an option, both clinically and economically.” To our minds this is the comment of someone totally out of touch with reality.

Clinically, the further one has to travel in an emergency, the greater the risk of mortality.

Economically, the planned NHS computer system that was originally to cost £2 billion, has now reached £12 billion. It will probably cost have £20 billion by the time it is implemented. This is enough money to keep Queen Mary’s going for over 200 years.

We used to have six A & Es in the area, soon we will be down to 2.

Sir George says, “If change is needed, let’s get on with it.” Yes, we agree that change is needed, but in improving our local hospitals, not closing them down bit by bit.