NHS Sustainability and Transformation Plans
There are growing concerns that the NHS is considering closing some services including A&E departments in the face of rising demand and chronic underfunding of our health service.
Locally, Croydon GPs have been told by NHS England to work with doctors and health service managers in Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth to draw up plans for how care will be provided over the next five years. The last time similar plans were proposed, Croydon University Hospital was one of three earmarked for potential closure, although the plans were eventually dropped after a massive public outcry.
The new proposals, whilst still at a very early stage have been drawn up without any consultation with patients or the wider public. Labour believes the public must have a say in decisions about local hospitals and vital health services. Media reports about possible closures are a direct result of the secrecy in which these plans have been developed and the sooner they are made public, the better.
Croydon North MP Steve Reed said:
Everyone living in Croydon uses the NHS at some time in their lives, and important decisions about the future of our health services should not be taken in secret. I want to see the draft plans published as soon as possible and put out to a full public consultation so that all residents can have their say. Once I have the details of the consultation, I will publish them here on my website.
Steven Reed is Labour MP for Croydon North and Shadow Minister for Children and Families. In 2018 his private member’s bill on reducing violent mental health restraint became law. In June 2019 he launched Labour’s civil society strategy outlining radical plans to empower citizens and communities.
Steve chairs the Cooperative Councils Innovation Network, co-chairs the All-Party Parliamentary Group for London, was Leader of Lambeth Council 2006-12 where he led the council’s children’s services to become best-rated in the country and pioneered the public-health approach to tackling violent youth crime. He worked in publishing for 16 years and was an elected trade union branch secretary.