Fresh fears about Whittington A&E future - DWHC

The Defend the Whittington Hospital Coalition has raised fresh concerns about the future of the hospital's A&E department following an information request to NHS North London.

In April, campaigners were jubilant when then-Health Secretary Andy Burnham announced the future of the Whittington's A&E and maternity departments was secure. Since the May elections, however, the future of health services in North London has again become uncertain, with new Health Secretary Andrew Lansley keen to devolve decision-making to local GPs.

"We wrote to the communications director at NHS North Central London to obtain a guarantee that our hospitals were safe. On Friday evening we received a response but unfortunately it contained no unconditional guarantee that the Whittington (or any other North London hospital) is safe," says the DWHC.

The campaign group is calling a new protest, to be held on Thursday 29 July at 1pm, outside the Department of Health at 79 Whitehall. 

Fears for the Whittington's future follow news this week that a planned 15-bed secure unit in Highgate Mental Health Centre will not be built owing to funding problems.

Image: Richard Osley