Saving St Helier hospital is one of the most important campaigns that I have known as long as I have lived in Merton.
With all parties campaigning to protect the hospital having forced the powers that be to think again, I am perplexed that the Conservatives are now not only backing off, but are criticising others for continuing the campaign.
The behaviour of two of my Cannon Hill ward councillors is particularly puzzling.
Councillors Debbie Shears and Logie Lohendran are both members of a panel addressed by Dr Howard Freeman, Chair of the Clinical Commissioning Group, at the end of March. Dr Freeman made clear that the CCG is preparing new proposals to be submitted to NHS England, which could again raise questions about the future of St Helier.
In spite of this, Coun Shears stood up at a council meeting, claiming there is no risk to St Helier, and criticising Labour councillors for carrying on the campaign.
Meanwhile Coun Lohendran, whose role it was to report to the council on the panel’s meetings, failed to include any mention of St Helier, or of the continued threat.
I have now received a letter from these councillors, sent to all ward residents, claiming that the hospital is safe, when they know that this is far from certain. I thought that councillors were elected to represent their residents, not to cover up what is going on, and pretend that everything is fine.
I understand Coun Lohendran has been told to write to Dr Freeman, formally advising the CCG of the high regard felt by Merton residents for the professionalism and sympathetic care provided at St Helier Hospital by its staff, the strong desire of the borough’s residents to preserve A&E and Maternity Services at St Helier for the future, and the council’s agreed policy of vigorously opposing any downgrading of services at St Helier hospital.
Will Coun Lohendran please clarify whether he has written this letter, and if not, why not?
In the meanwhile, thank you to Labour councillors for carrying on this critical campaign.
Alison Morgan
Martin Way, Cannon Hill
- Send your letters to: letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk
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