I would not be too sure at all that Charing Cross A&E has really been "saved" despite claims it has had a reprieve rather than a stay of execution. I would recommend reading the report of the so-called Independent Reconfiguration Panel, the very name of which suggests that the status quo had no chance at least as far as Charing Cross hospital was concerned, and check out the definition of a 'Local Hospital' It is clear that with vascular surgery (in which I had 3 operations in 2008) already transferred to St.Mary's leaving only a vascular out-patients clinic behind, the main departments of the hospital are going to be killed off in a 'death by a thousand cuts' exercise.It's also worth reading the content about transport to get to the varying hospitals. The report makes it fairly clear the Panel are unfamiliar with Brent, where I now live, and I suspect other traffic hot-spots. Whilst North-West and west London is indeed generously endowed with hospitals compared to other parts of the UK, London road congestion is in a class of its own and it is not just in the rush hour.Jeremy Hunt is a very articulate clever (no, seriously) politician and presumably believes he is making the right clinical decision. But I am far from sure that the main driver for this reshaping is not financial, to cut the spend required, and to release the immensely valuable Charing Cross site for redevelopment as luxury housing (and since the pass has already been sold by the height of the hospital, the housing will be high-rise and will dominate the terraced streets around it.It's interesting to read about the quality of the estate of the hospitals being reviewed. Two fall into the LOW category - you may be surprised to learn these are Northwick Park and St,. Mary's. The latter may have some gleaming new buildings , but prowl around it and you will find some seriously Victorian parts still in use. If it were not for its necessity at the Paddington end of the area it serves, that hospital sits on even more valuable land than does Charing Cross.One final observation. Building Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where it is was probably a crass error, as accessing it by public or private transport is a nightmare. The funds building it would have been better spent on upgrading Charing Cross and St. Thomas's, or not all being spent at all, but Chelsea and Westminster now occupies a unique place in hospital provision that ensures its survival at all costs - it has a higher percentage of Conservative MPs in its catchment area than any other and sufficient private beds to cater for their needs.
Dan Filson ● 4701d