THE WHITTINGTON Hospital could be shut down altogether if its accident and emergency department closes, the House of Commons heard last night (December 2). Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP for Islington, North secured the adjournment debate to discuss the future

THE WHITTINGTON Hospital could be shut down altogether if its accident and emergency department closes, the House of Commons heard last night (December 2).

Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP for Islington, North secured the adjournment debate to discuss the future of the hospital in Highgate Hill following revelations that it could be downsized to a 'local hospital' with no emergency department or specialist services.

It follows the emergence last month of a letter written by Rachel Tyndall - head of the north central London sector of the NHS - setting out the apparently inevitable downsizing of the Whittington.

Mr Corbyn said: "An accident and emergency unit is the heart of a hospital. Obviously, with an A and E unit and an intensive therapy unit, anyone who suffers any kind of accident, injury or whatever else can be treated very quickly.

"Major surgery can take place in other parts of the hospital because there is an A and E unit as a back-up facility. That is very important. Clearly, if the back-up facility is lost, the possibilities of major elective surgery are removed from the hospital, and we begin to see a downgrading and, ultimately, the hospital's closure.

"I want the House to understand that if we close casualty units it might look efficient on paper, but there are 80,000 people who use that casualty unit and I want them to be able to continue to do so."

For the full report of the adjournment meeting that took place last night read the Ham&High on December 10.

* A public meeting for people campaigning against the possible closure of the accident and emergency department at the Whittington Hospital is being held at the Archway Methodist Church in Archway Close at 7pm on Wednesday, December 9.