AT 55 pages long many will see the consultation prepared by North East London Health chiefs over plans to axe our A&E as a tall order. It is an extensive document which makes many claims that at first glance could look impressive. Words like transformin

AT 55 pages long many will see the consultation prepared by North East London Health chiefs over plans to axe our A&E as a tall order.

It is an extensive document which makes many claims that at first glance could look impressive.

Words like "transforming" health care and "delivering high quality health care" push the right buttons.

But statements such as "the birth rate in north east London is high...and will continue rising over the next few years" seem to be at odds with the plan to close maternity.

Their answer appears to be "home births", but they will need to go some if they want to encourage an increase on the 500 women last year who had them throughout the whole of north east London.

They admit emergency care services are "of variable quality" and also that more people use A&E in north east London than in most parts of the country.

So what's the answer to that - close one of the six units and encourage people to attend polyclinics, even though they won't accept emergencies.

The consultation document seems to be as flawed as the plans themselves, but we would urge all our readers to fill one in - just be careful you don't injure yourself carrying it home!