An accident and emergency department which could to take on thousands of patients if proposed closures at St Helier and Epsom hospitals go ahead saw a staggering increase of nearly 3,000 patients in the last year.
From April 2012 to March 2013 St George’s Hospital in Tooting saw a 9.8 per cent increase in the demand for its emergency services treating a total of 32,884 people – an extra 2,936 people compared to 2011-12.
St George's Hospital in Tooting
St Helier Hospital’s A&E department also saw a 5.5 per cent increase and treated a total of 18,160 patients.
The figures cast serious doubts on the viability of the Better Services Better Value (BSBV) healthcare review’s recommendations to axe A&E departments at both St Helier and Epsom hospitals.
BSBV argue that “better out of hospital care” is at the heart of their vision but campaigners argue their plans are insufficient and it is not clear how tens-of-thousands of people will be treated in the community if two A&E departments are axed.
Mary Burstow, chair of Sutton Council’s health and well being scrutiny committee, said: “When are we going to see the numbers of people going to A&E dropping? At the moment we are not seeing the evidence for it.
“I think it comes as no surprise St George’s A&E is working at such high capacity. It just goes to show how flawed BSBV’s plans are.
“I only want to find out what [St George’s] are doing about it – they can’t wait for BSBV.”
Sadiq Khan Tooting MP said St George’s was already under enormous pressure, with people suffering from longer waiting times, but the Government seemed intent on adding to the problem by closing London A&Es such as St Helier.
Ruth Dombey, leader of Sutton Council, said: “We have said time and time again that closing St Helier Hospital’s A&E department would place intolerable pressure on surrounding hospitals and put patients at significant risk.
“It is absolutely vital that the BSBV project is stopped and a proper assessment is made of the real healthcare needs of south west London.
“Today’s residents and future generations will suffer if the wrong decisions are made now.”
Dr Ros Given-Wilson, medical director at St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust, stressed that BSBV’s proposals will go to public consultation before any decisions are made.
She said: “If A&E services are to change in south west London, the changes will be implemented over a number of years rather than overnight, and not before significant investment in our own A&E so we can increase capacity and staffing to meet the extra demand for our services.”
A BSBV spokesman said: “BSBV plans are for bigger A&Es at St George’s, Kingston and either one of Croydon or St Helier.
"Projections show they would be comfortably able to cope with the numbers of patients and they would be providing round the clock consultant cover, making the services safer for patients.”
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