Lib Dems Launch Campaign to Save Queen Mary's Hospital

2.52.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 5th Feb 2008

Two Liberal Democrat Parliamentary candidates have launched a campaign to save the Accident and Emergency Unit at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup.

Residents across in Bromley and Bexley are currently being sent copies of a booklet called "A Picture of Health", which asks for views about the future of local hospital services. With the three options given to residents, all three mean the closure of Queen Mary's A&E.

Liberal Democrats candidates for Old Bexley and Sidcup, Duncan Borrowman, and Orpington, Cllr David McBride, have launched a website campaign which includes a petition for residents to sign opposing the closure and also a letter to send to local health authorities as part of the "A Picture of Health" consultation.

Duncan Borrowman called the consultation "a farce", which in effect gave residents no choice for their local hospital. "With all options in the consultation document proposing the closure of the Accident and Emergency Unit at Queen Mary's, Bexley residents are being denied a real choice. It is a compete farce."

Cllr David McBride is urging residents to complete the petition, which will then be sent as part of the consultation. "Residents in Sidcup, the Crays, Mottingham and Chislehurst all use this A&E department in preference to others nearby. If we can get a big enough response to this petition hopefully those in charge will see sense and this will not be lost."

Bexley Borough residents opposed to the closure should sign the petition at www.borrowman.org.uk or www.bexleylibdems.org.uk

Bromley Borough residents should sign at www.davidmcbride.org.uk

Related Link:

Petition website and draft text of letter.