Assembly's South London Healthcare NHS Trust consultation response

Following a meeting with health experts as part of its on-going review of the changes to the NHS in the capital, the Assembly's Health and Environment Committee has responded to the South London Health NHS Trust consultation.

The Committee expressed serious concerns about the consultation on proposals to close Lewisham A&E. It said more analysis and modelling is needed to assess the impact of the proposals – particularly on whether the new hospital structure will be able to cope with the population’s needs, both now and in the future.

Committee Members also questioned the robustness of data in the consultation document used for estimating travel times to remaining A&E units. Members called for independent validation of the methodology used.

The Committee also called for the impact on blue light journeys to be fully considered and wanted assurances that the London Ambulance Service has sufficient capacity to cope with the additional journey times for Lewisham residents.

The Committee was also concerned about:

• The short time for consultation, given the complex nature of the changes proposed.
• Efforts to consult with the widest possible group of people likely to be affected by the changes.

We have also written to the Secretary of State for Health on the proposed changes to A&E provision in south London.