I WAS very pleased to read Nicola Blake’s son received such excellent service from Queen Mary’s Hospital but her letter (Emergency Made Me Appreciate Hospital, News Shopper, September 10) highlights a lot of misinformation about plans for the future.
Ms Blake says she wishes to retain Queen Mary’s as her local hospital and keep the A&E department.
I have checked with the hospital and in fact her son was not seen in the A&E department.
He was treated in the urgent care unit, which is not under threat.
Indeed, under the plans for the future of the hospital, the urgent care unit will take on a more enhanced role and Ms Blake and her family will continue to be able to access its services as part of her local hospital.
It will also be the hospital for people needing pre-booked surgery and will be a centre of excellence for knee and hip replacements, hernias, gynaecology and ophthalmic services.
People going into hospital for pre-booked surgery can also be screened for MRSA etc, which is not possible in a major trauma centre.
It will be the “blue light” cases who will be taken to a more specialised A&E and major trauma centre.
All the evidence shows this will save lives and aid recovery.
Not every hospital can do everything.
Under the proposals for change, Queen Mary’s will remain a hospital providing vital services for the community.
JOHN AUSTIN, MP for Erith and Thamesmead
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