Article for Ruislip and Northwood Gazette
31st July 2005
Harefield and Mt Vernon hospitals are a source of great pride to our community. Extraordinary work is done on both sites, both in the hospitals and the research and voluntary organisations that coexist.
Harefield and Mt Vernon hospitals are a source of great pride to our community. Extraordinary work is done on both sites, both in the hospitals and the research and voluntary organisations that coexist. That achievement is all the more impressive, given the uncertainty over the future of both hospitals. Last month, I commented on the need for local health authorities to rebuild the bridges of trust with the local community after the fiasco of trying to move Harefield to Paddington. This month it is sad to report that the challenge of trust building has just got bigger. At a Board meeting of the North West London Strategic Health Authority on July 19th, it was recommended that the SHA walk away from a commitment to retain some 'walk in' radiotherapy services at Mount Vernon after the proposed move of the Cancer centre to a new hospital in Hatfield in 2012/3. I am personally satisfied that this recommendation reflects a genuine concern about patient safety and the ability to deliver a first class service. However both Community Voice and I have made the SHA well aware that many local people, who feel that they have a stake in Mount Vernon, will feel betrayed. My question to them now is what is being offered to the 1 million patients for whom today Mount Vernon is the most convenient location to receive treatment for this most traumatic of diseases? Are they expected to take the tube to Hammersmith or drive to Hatfield? Given that on their own figures demand for cancer services will grow by over 50% by 2012, why not consider developing full cancer services at both Hatfield and Mount Vernon? If there are to be no cancer services at Month Vernon what will take its place? Will someone finally take strategic responsibility for this underexploited site? We are promised some answers by the end of November. Watch this space. "
