Bridget says Government must 'turn again' on threat to Whittington Hospital

4.39.47am GMT Fri 4th Dec 2009

Cllr Stefan Kasprzyk, Bridget Fox, Cllr Ursula Woolley protesting at the threat to the Whittington Hospital

Bridget Fox, the Liberal Democrat shadow MP for Islington South and Finsbury, has demanded the Government 'turn again' and save the Whittington Hospital.

The Government-backed NHS review of hospital services in north London has come up four different options: but all four of them would see the Whittington downgraded and its 24 hour casualty unit close. Emergency cases would be sent to Hampstead's Royal Free Hospital instead.

Health campaigner Bridget is opposing the closure. She is arguing that:

• Islington needs a 24 hour accident and emergency service

• It takes too long to get to the Royal Free compared to the Whittington

• Islington's population is growing

Bridget says: "I am totally opposed to any plans to downgrade the Whittington.

"Anyone who knows Islington should also know this is a bad decision. It takes too long to get to Hampstead. Accidents and emergencies happen 24 hours a day and we need a 24 hour casualty unit.

"Plus Islington's population is growing. It's madness to think of closing our local A&E now."

Bridget also welcomed Islington Council's backing of the campaign to save the Whittington A&E department. The Council vote comes in the same week as a House of Commons debate, during which Health Minister Mike O'Brien refused to rule out closing the A&E, instead saying it was a 'challenge for the local NHS to explain'.

Bridget says, "I'm delighted that local councillors are united in wanting to save our hospital. Meanwhile Government ministers have let Islington down once again, by passing the buck back to the local NHS.

"Dick Whittington was told to 'turn again'. The Government must also 'turn again' and save the Whittington for Islington."