Brain surgeons ‘forced out’
Tuesday May 5, 2009
Six of the UK's top brain surgeons could be forced out of Charing Cross hospital under new NHS proposals.
Imperial Healthcare NHS Trust have confirmed that its neurosurgery department, currently run at Charing Cross under the leadership of top surgical professor, James Van Dellen, could be moved to St Mary's in Paddington, further downgrading the services available at Charing Cross.
The news comes on the heels of plans to set up a network of major trauma and specialist stroke units across London, which are currently the subject of public consultation.
Charing Cross hospital is proposed as the site of the stroke unit - but St Mary's hospital in Paddington is the local hospital trust's preferred site for the trauma centre.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council is urging that Charing Cross be selected as the site of both the trauma centre and the stroke unit for west London, arguing that it is far better placed, geographically and clinically, to take on these extra specialisms than the cramped and inaccessible St Mary's.
Imperial have confirmed that if St Mary's is chosen as the site for the trauma centre, the stroke unit may also move from Charing Cross to St Mary's. For the first time, the trust has confirmed to h&f news that this would mean brain surgery could also be moved out of Charing Cross.
Trust spokeswoman Cassie Zachariou said: "From whichever site these new services are provided in future, the trust will continue to provide neurology and stroke services at Charing Cross hospital.
"The trust recognises the benefits of co-locating these two highly specialist services, which could mean major trauma, hyper acute stroke services and specialist brain surgery are housed on a single site."
Over recent months, council bosses have been warning that there are plans to dramatically downgrade Charing Cross. They say the trust made every effort to 'exclude' Charing Cross as a site for the new trauma centre and that a lack of commitment to the hospital by trust bosses would inevitably lead to other specialisms being lost from Charing Cross.
"This is yet more evidence that there is a deliberate plan by the NHS authorities to downgrade of one of the country's most advanced, super-specialist hospitals to a local community facility, to the great detriment of local people," said H&F Council leader Stephen Greenhalgh.
"St Mary's currently has no brain surgeons, an essential requirement to taking on major trauma cases. "Choosing St Mary's over Charing Cross makes no logical or financial sense and is another nail in the coffin for Charing Cross.
"Local residents need to be warned of the potential closure by stealth of this highly valued, accessible and tremendously specialised hospital. "I would urge everyone in the borough to object to the proposals in the strongest terms, before it is too late."
For details, or to take part in the trauma centre consultation, visit: www.healthcareforlondon.nhs.uk (opens new window).
