THE poor performances of Whipps Cross Hospital and King George Hospitals have been condemned by councillors

While praising the hard work and dedication of staff, councillors at Thursday's full Redbridge Council meeting blamed a lack of staff for many of the problems afflicting local hospitals.

And they have now called on Redbridge's four local MPS to represent the borough's concerns in parliament.

In a statement, agreed by councillors in a vote, councillors pledged to monitor the situation on behalf of local residents.

They said: "Council acknowledges its responsibility for scrutiny of service delivery on behalf of local people, and will endeavour to work in partnership with the NHS to deliver real service improvements and a better deal for patients."

Speaking at the meeting, Conservative cllr Linda Huggett said: "I would like to make it clear that I am not in any way criticising NHS staff. They do a wonderful job in extremely difficult circumstances. Indeed, it was the quick actions of staff at Whipps Cross that saved my daughter's life when she was taken in with peritonitis.

"Although Alan Milburn said that an extra 1,000 doctors and 2,000 nurses will be in place over the next three years, what patients need is more doctors now, and I mean real doctors not spin doctors."

She added: "Whipps Cross Hospital has recently received a two star rating but has failed to achieve its targets for in-patient, out-patient and trolley waits.

"Action must be taken immediately to remedy the situation before the winter arrives and we have the flu epidemic."

There were also calls for the general funding formula to be changed and geographical problems to be addressed to enable local hospitals to get more money.

Lib Dem councillor Hugh Cleaver said: "A great deal more needs to be done if people who need health care in this borough are to receive a first class quality service.

"We have problems with our accident and emergency because we are serving such as large area, as so many A&Es were closed down between Whipps Cross and Harlow."

Wanstead Hospital and Harts Hospital in Woodford Green were highlighted as examples of good hospitals which have been closed in recent years.

Redbridge's Labour Party recognised that there were significant problems in the health service, but said the Government would be able to make a difference in the next few years.

Labour councillor Greg Eglin said: "The formula for allocating money works out against us here and we need to put pressure on the Department of Health to get it rectified.

"But it takes years upon years to turn around health care. In five or six years time, there will be a brand new hospital where Whipps Cross stands and more doctors, but it will take time. We have a plan in the NHS which will eventually lead us to a decent health service."