THE planned cuts to North West London’s hospitals should be scrapped, according to Ealing Council’s cabinet. 

An extraordinary meeting of key councilors heard damning criticism of the NHS’s business case and its public consultation on plans to downgrade hospital services. A report by former NHS chief executive Tim Rideout underlined their concerns.

NHS North West London’s proposed changes would see the borough lose four of its nine accident and emergency centres and Ealing Hospital stripped of nine of its 11 types of service.

Mr Rideout’s report raised serious concerns about the way plans were drawn up and the safety of the proposals given that they rely on primary care community services which do not yet exist.

Cllr Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for health and adult services, said: “This independent report confirms our worst fears.”

“We won’t gamble with our health or be bystanders as our hospital services are dismantled. NHS North West London should scrap these plans now.”

Ealing has been singled out as the borough most affected by NHS North West London’s plans.

More than 60% of people travelling to major hospitals would face a journey of more than 30 minutes by public transport.

People in deprived parts of the borough, currently served by Ealing Hospital, would be hit particularly hard.

Cllr Bell said he had asked Ealing doctors whether or not they had listened to the public, but they had not answered his question.

He said: “I hope they see sense and drop these proposals now before any more of London’s precious health funding is squandered on a scheme doomed to failure.”