Council to fight on over hospital downgrades after permission for JR refused

A London borough is to seek an oral hearing at the High Court after a judge rejected its request for a judicial review over plans to shut four accident and emergency departments and downgrade local hospitals.

Ealing Council started the legal action in March after the NHS approved plans affecting Ealing, Central Middlesex, Hammersmith and Charing Cross hospitals.

It had claimed that there was:

• A failure to take into account clinical evidence;
• Insufficient public and patient engagement;
• Inadequate public consultation; and
• A failure to consider the impact that stopping services would have on Ealing residents.

Ealing claimed the NHS had acknowledged that, if the plans are implemented, 'blue light' journeys would be longer for one in three patients.

In addition to the legal action, the council has referred the NHS's decision to the Health Secretary, who has ordered a review. A report will be submitted to Jeremy Hunt in September and he will make the final decision.

Cllr Julian Bell, leader of Ealing Council, said: "This news hit us like a body blow, but we are determined to fight on. The NHS want to treat the people of Ealing as guinea pigs in the largest experiment in its history and we believe it is only right that our very serious concerns get proper consideration.

"If you plot emergency hospital services on a map of north west London, it is very apparent that there is a gaping hole of provision over Ealing. Unsurprisingly, we do not believe these monstrous plans are in our best interest and we want our day in court."