Barking and Dagenham MPs oppose bid to close A&E in next two years

Dagenham MP Jon Cruddas has criticised the closure plans. Picture: PA/Jane Mingay (Image: PA/PA Photos)

A draft of the North East London Sustainability and Transformation Plan, which forecasts the Goodmayes hospital’s next five years, states the A&E will be replaced by an urgent care unit.

Though it also notes that the A&E will not close until Queen’s Hospital in Romford is out of special measures, Barking MP Margaret Hodge described planning the closure as “irresponsible”.

“Queen’s Hospital is still in special measures and we see time and time again that they keep missing their A&E wait time targets,” she said.

“To think about and begin planning to close the A&E at King George is irresponsible.

Margaret Hodge is also unhappy about the closure plans (Image: Archant)

“My priority is and always will be to ensure that my constituents get the first-rate health service they deserve and these plans do not do that.”

Dagenham MP Jon Cruddas, who led the Hands off our Hospital campaign, said he will oppose closures until local needs are met.

“I find it very concerning that the trust is pshing ahead with closures and cutbacks at King George Hospital when Queen’s Hospital is still struggling to meet targets,” he said. “King George Hospital is in most instances the best healthcare provision in the area.”

A spokesman for Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust was optimistic Queen’s Hospital would be out of special measures before the 2019 deadline, with chief executive Matthew Hopkins adding: “We were very pleased to welcome our CQC colleagues recently. I hope they recognise the many improvements we have made to patient care.”