Ealing Council Leader Julian Bell, reflects on the potentially devastating consequences of the closure of Ealing’s A&E departments:

The tragic case of Muhammad Hashir Maveed (story here) demonstrates the dangers of closing local A&Es. Muhammed’s mother noticed that her son had a temperature and went to her nearest hospital. Unfortunately her nearest hospital was Chase Farm where the A&E was closed in December.  He died en route to a hospital that was still open. This death is a terrible tragedy for the family involved and it is the worst nightmare for all of us who have campaigned against hospital closures across London.

This is exactly the kind of tragedy that we could see in Ealing if these closures are forced through. Ealing Hospital will no longer be able to treat serious cases and the time it takes to transfer someone to a hospital that can be the difference between life and death. It is also why Jeremy hunt’s comments are so irresponsible, he knows full well that what is planned for Ealing is not a real A&E however his words could make a tragedy like this more likely.

Ealing Labour will continue campaigning to keep our local A&Es open with a blue light ambulance services.

I hope that no-one else have to suffer the same tragedy as the Maveed’s.