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Experts working on health report
University experts are now getting down to the task of analysing responses to a consultation on plans to rationalise hospital care across the south east London area.
More than 9,500 people replied to the consultation on the A Picture of Health proposals, with another 1,300 telephone inquiries.
The responses are little more than one per cent of the 700,000-plus households which received a copy of the consultation document.
Many people and organisations such as Lewisham and Bexley councils criticised the document as difficult to understand.
Large numbers of people complained they did not even receive a copy.
Several claim the low response rate confirms their view the consultation was flawed.
However Simon Robbins, the senior responsible officer for A Picture of Health, said: "I am satisfied with the number of responses we have received as it compares positively with other NHS consultations.
"I think these initial findings demonstrate the consultation achieved its goal of creating public awareness of A Picture of Health, stimulating people to engage in the debate and contribute their views and suggestions.
"These will play an important role in informing the final decision."
The proposals involve the reorganisation of hospital care across Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham.
And the four primary care trusts for the area put forward three options for change.
During the three-month consultation, which ended on April 11, people were invited to choose an option and make their own comments.
The hospitals, councils and professional bodies were also invited to make a response.
In all three options, Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, would be stripped of all its emergency services, including A&E, maternity and children's wards.
It would keep its 24-hour urgent care centre, and offer walk-in treatment for children, plus ante-natal and post-natal care, outpatient services and become a centre for non-urgent planned operations.
All three options also nominated the Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, as the emergency hospitals for the area.
Lewisham Hospital faced three options: to retain all is emergency care like the Princess Royal and Queen Elizabeth; become a borough hospital like Queen Mary's or retain its role for medical emergency patients only, but without maternity or in-patient children's services.
The responses have now gone to Imperial College, London, which will submit a report in mid-June.
A decision on any changes is expected in July.
12:07pm Monday 28th April 2008
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