QPR Stars Join Campaign to Save Local A&Es

Boss and footballers team up with rivals at Fulham FC

Premier League stars and management from Queen’s Park Rangers football club have became the latest big names to join the campaign to stop west London hospitals being downgraded.

The QPR stars join footballers from Fulham FC in the fight to save local A&E units being closed.

QPR boss Mark Hughes plus players including Clint Hill, Jamie Mackie and Shaun Derry are speaking out to save the units at Hammersmith Hospital in Shepherd's Bush.

Popular R’s striker Jamie Mackie, 27, says: "Everyone at QPR FC fully supports the petition to prevent the closure of the Accident and Emergency unit at Hammersmith Hospital.

"The unit offers an invaluable service to the local community and we hope this can be allowed to continue for many years to come."

Controversial plans to scrap the A&E departments at Hammersmith Hospital, as well as the A&E and hyper acute stroke unit at Charing Cross, were unveiled by hospital bosses in June.

H&F Council has been running a campaign against the proposals – joined by a broad coalition of politicians, businesses and residents from a range of backgrounds – and has warned that local people will be left dangerously far away from emergency care out of borough, if the NHS plans go ahead.

The council has organised a public scrutiny meeting on September 18 where hospital bosses will take questions from residents and a panel of experts. The council has also appointed a former NHS Chief Executive, Tim Rideout, to help scrutinise the NHS business case.

The Save Out Hospitals publis meeting is at Hammersmith Town Hall on Tuesday, September 18 at 7pm.

You can also add your signature to the petitions at Save Charing Cross and Save Hammersmith.

This meeting is followed by a consultation roadshow in Fulham held by the NHS the following day, September 19 from 2pm till 8pm at Fulham Broadway Methodist Church, 452 Fulham Road.

A group which includes residents and  MP Andy Slaughter has launched its own campaign, Save Hammersmith and Fulham Hospitals, with a website and plans to join a march on Parliament in September 15.

The campaign also has its own twitter hashtag #SaveHFNHS and an independent petition which aims to get 10,000 signatures and is planning to offer advise on the NHS Consultation on the plans which it calls Shaping a Healthier Future.

The NHS Consultation, Shaping a Healthier Future lasts until October 8 and you can respond to the consultation online or request a full copy of the consultation document by emailing consultation@nw.london.nhs.uk, calling freephone number 0800 881 5209 or writing to FREEPOST SHAPING A HEALTHIER FUTURE CONSULTATION (This must be written in capital letters and on one line. You will not need a stamp.)

August 24, 2012