MEMBERS of the Kingston Hospital NHS Trust Board faced pressure today as they were questioned over the plans to close the hospital’s accident and emergency and maternity services.
Tory Councillor, David Cunningham, asked the chairman of the hospital, Christopher Smallwood, to put forward to its board members to answer whether they would actively resist closure of the units if proposals were carried forward.
Mr Smallwood said: “I am not prepared to do that as we are trying to conduct a constructive dialogue in the process going on which is developing these options and it will damage us if we dig our heels in and effectively withdraw from that dialogue.”
With future healthcare services at Kingston Hospital looking unsustainable, Mr Smallwood said that if the plans do go ahead, “it will have a damaging effect on recruitment and is especially worrying for those women thinking of coming to deliver in this hospital.” He also recognised that: “If we go in the wrong direction, there will be general outrage and enormous opposition.”
Chief Executive, Kate Grimes, said that although the plans were still very vague, “there will be a point where it will become clear.” She added that: “if there were any changes made, Kingston Hospital would be in a very good position as it has the biggest maternity unit in south west London, with an exceptionally good reputation.”
Although there was no robust denial of the plans to close the A&E and maternity units within the room, a spokesperson for the Trust said: “Kingston Hospital has provided the local community with excellent maternity and A&E provision for many years and we look forward to continuing to provide an increasingly enhanced service to our community in the future.”
The news to close the units broke earlier this week when Edward Davey, Kingston and Surbiton MP, and Susan Kramer, Richmond Park MP, were told by senior managers within the NHS that a review of hospitals across south west London showed that only three of four hospitals should have either a maternity unit or an A&E and Kingston Hospital was in the list of possible closures.
Speaking outside the public board meeting, parliamentary candidate for Kingston and Surbiton, Helen Whately opposed the action being pursued by the two local MPs: “When the chief executive and the chairman have said there are no conclusions being reached to close the A&E and maternity services and changes to the site are not under consideration, then I am a bit concerned that this might be becoming a electoral pawning for the Liberal Democrats.”
Tory Councillor, David Cunningham, asked the chairman of the hospital, Christopher Smallwood, to put forward to its board members to answer whether they would actively resist closure of the units if proposals were carried forward.
Mr Smallwood said: “I am not prepared to do that as we are trying to conduct a constructive dialogue in the process going on which is developing these options and it will damage us if we dig our heels in and effectively withdraw from that dialogue.”
With future healthcare services at Kingston Hospital looking unsustainable, Mr Smallwood said that if the plans do go ahead, “it will have a damaging effect on recruitment and is especially worrying for those women thinking of coming to deliver in this hospital.” He also recognised that: “If we go in the wrong direction, there will be general outrage and enormous opposition.”
Chief Executive, Kate Grimes, said that although the plans were still very vague, “there will be a point where it will become clear.” She added that: “if there were any changes made, Kingston Hospital would be in a very good position as it has the biggest maternity unit in south west London, with an exceptionally good reputation.”
Although there was no robust denial of the plans to close the A&E and maternity units within the room, a spokesperson for the Trust said: “Kingston Hospital has provided the local community with excellent maternity and A&E provision for many years and we look forward to continuing to provide an increasingly enhanced service to our community in the future.”
The news to close the units broke earlier this week when Edward Davey, Kingston and Surbiton MP, and Susan Kramer, Richmond Park MP, were told by senior managers within the NHS that a review of hospitals across south west London showed that only three of four hospitals should have either a maternity unit or an A&E and Kingston Hospital was in the list of possible closures.
Speaking outside the public board meeting, parliamentary candidate for Kingston and Surbiton, Helen Whately opposed the action being pursued by the two local MPs: “When the chief executive and the chairman have said there are no conclusions being reached to close the A&E and maternity services and changes to the site are not under consideration, then I am a bit concerned that this might be becoming a electoral pawning for the Liberal Democrats.”
To join the petition visit savekingstonhospital.org.uk.
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