Ealing Tories U turns on Ealing Hospital

2/2/12

Ealing’s Tories have taken four different positions on Ealing hospital since it was revealed the Government has plans to close the hospital.

In the council chamber Cllr Greg Stafford has said:

“We were and remain opposed to any future proposal to close Ealing Hospital, whether this was done directly or by running down acute services until the hospital becomes unviable or simply a large polyclinic. We would oppose a merger if it meant worse clinical outcomes for patients or less choice.”[1]

However on the internet it is a different story. Cllr Phil Taylor has welcomed the closure. He said on his blog that of Ealing A&E:

“I would rather have a longer journey to a trauma centre.”[2]

On his blog Cllr Colm Costello has tried to deny the hospital is closing. He said of Ealing Labour’s petition:

“Is a barefaced faced lie designed to distract Ealing residents”[3]

Even more bizarre is Cllr Benjamin Dennehey’s statement on his blog that:

“They [Ealing’s Labour council] will cease locking park gates, whilst closing Ealing Hospital at the same time.”[4]

Within three months the Tories have said that they want the hospital to stay open, they welcome it closing, it’s not closing and the council is closing it. They must come clean with Ealing residents on whether they support their Government’s plan to close the hospital.

Ealing’s Labour Leader Cllr Julian Bell said “Labour’s position is clear. We oppose the Tory Government’s plan to close Ealing hospital as a District General Hospital. No ifs no buts, we are standing up for local residents. The Tories have changed their position on this issue so many times it’s difficult to know if even they know where they stand.”