GP vote increases threat to Croydon A&E

Doctors in Surrey Downs have voted to pull out of the South West London NHS review that lists Croydon University Hospital’s A&E as one of three options for closure.  The Surrey GPs’ decision means that their nearest A&E service at Epsom Hospital is unlikely to remain a closure option when the much-delayed public consultation finally begins – leaving Croydon’s A&E as one of only two remaining options for closure or downgrading.

Croydon University Hospital’s A&E was included in the pre-consultation report as the ‘least preferred’ of three options, but the fact it was included at all meant it could face closures.  Now that Epsom is likely to be removed St Helier and Croydon are the only options left.  Steve Reed, Labour MP for Croydon North, and Sarah Jones, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Croydon Central, have repeated their call for Croydon Conservatives to join them in a cross-party campaign to save Croydon’s A&E from any threat of closure.  Their petition against closure and for more investment to improve the local A&E service has already attracted over 3,000 signatures.  So far Croydon’s Tory MPs and councillors have refused to back the campaign.

Steve Reed MP said: “Now that Croydon A&E looks is likely to be one of only two remaining options for closure the danger has increased.  This is no time for the Tories to sit on their hands and watch as our vital hospital services face the risk of downgrading.  It’s time for all parties to come together to protect our local health services in a joint campaign.  Croydon residents will not forgive local Tory politicians who fail to stand up for our health services.”