Sham consultation could axe A&E at Ealing, Charing Cross, Hammersmith and Central Middlesex

Campaigners have reacted with fury to a “sham” consultation that could lead to the closure of four hospital casualty departments.

Ealing, Charing Cross, Hammersmith and Central Middlesex are all at risk of losing their accident and emergency units in an NHS shake-up.

NHS North West London claims its consultation, which attracted 17,022 responses, backs the idea of centralising services for two million people at five “superhospitals” — St Mary’s, Chelsea and Westminster, West Middlesex, Northwick Park and Hillingdon. But campaign groups claim the views of many thousands of residents who signed petitions and marched to save their hospitals have been ignored.

The 66,000 signatures included in 18 petitions from Hammersmith and Fulham were counted as 18 responses. Campaigner Colin Standfield said fewer than five per cent of Ealing GPs backed the plan to close Ealing Hospital’s A&E.

Campaigners fear that the loss of A&E units will lead to the long-term closure of Ealing and Charing Cross hospitals.

Dr Onkar Sahota, chairman of the Save Our Hospitals Ealing campaign, which presented an 80,000-signature petition to Downing Street, said: “We have always said that the consultation was a sham. Now our worst fears have been confirmed: NW London NHS will not listen to the public in Ealing.”

Dr Mark Spencer, medical director for Shaping a Healthier Future, said: “We spent 14 weeks on this consultation. All responses are being considered, including petitions.”