Closing Whittington hospital's A&E unit ‘will harm patients'
12 April 2012
Plans to close the Whittington hospital's A&E unit will compromise care, increase journey times for patients and threaten jobs.
The threat to services at the north London hospital planned by health chiefs could also disadvantage poorer patients who would have to travel the farthest, according to leaked documents seen by the Standard.
A memo from the Whittington's council of governors, which represents patients, warns the closure would "compromise" medical teaching.
Downgrading the Whittington to a "local" hospital is part of a huge reorganisation of healthcare.
If the A&E closes, patients will have to travel to the Royal Free in Hampstead, University College Hospital in Euston or the North Middlesex in Edmonton.
