TWO Bexley MPs have clashed in the House of Commons over proposals for the future of Queen Mary’s Hospital.

Bexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett secured an adjournment debate in the House to talk about the future of healthcare in the borough.

He expressed anger at plans to “downgrade” Queen Mary’s in Sidcup by stripping it of its A&E department as well as maternity and in-patient children’s services.

Mr Evennett said: “My concern is whether other hospitals will be able to meet the need, if we close A&E at Queen Mary’s.”

He cited an example where A&E at the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough had closed to emergency ambulances and said there had been large rises in the numbers using A&E at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich.

He also raised the difficulties Bexley people would face to travel to other hospitals and said: “We all know transport links in south-east London are not good.”

However, fellow Bexley MP John Austin, who represents Erith and Thamesmead, disagreed with Mr Evennett.

He said: “Mr Evennett will know the plans under A Picture of Health provide for a 24-hour urgent care centre to cover all but the major emergency, blue-light casualty services.”

Mr Austin said Mr Evennett had often used the word “downgrading”.

He added: “Is he aware the proposals for Queen Mary’s Sidcup mean it will become a centre of excellence for elective care, including cancer services, not just for the borough of Bexley but for Greenwich, Lewisham and Bromley as well?”

Mr Austin said he would not consider this to be a downgrade.

But Mr Evennett was supported by Bromley MP and fellow Tory Bob Neill, in claiming the consultation on A Picture of Health had been a sham.

He told health minister Ben Bradshaw 1,500 people had marched against the plans and he had handed in an 8,500 name protest petition.

Mr Neill said a survey of 9,000 of his constituents, showed none backed the Queen Mary’s plan.

Mr Evennett said plans for A&E and maternity services were opposed by GPs and claimed: “The hospital is being downgraded and services cut, for financial reasons.”

But Mr Bradshaw told him: “The decisions being taken on health are being led by the local NHS and clinicians, and are aimed at trying to provide the public in south-east London with the modern, safe and high-quality health services.”