FRESH concerns have been raised over proposals to move emergency stroke care out of the borough.

Under the proposals, the nearest emergency stroke unit for most people in Waltham Forest will be the Royal London in Whitechapel and fears have been voiced over the time it will take to get there.

Residents who attended the Walthamstow and Lea Bridge community council meeting on Monday were worried the ambulance service’s estimate of between 10 and 12 minutes was unrealistic.

Jeffery Willis, of Cheshire Close, Walthamstow, said: “At certain times of the day, the traffic is horrendous - to say 10 to 12 minutes would be pushing it.”

But Dr Ken Aswani, a local GP and chair of the professional executive committee at NHS Waltham Forest, maintained the timing had been tested and that as long as the journey time was under half hour, it would not make a real difference.

“Blue light ambulances can get through traffic. There can be slight variation but that’s the kind of time scale for emergencies,“ Dr Aswani said.

“It’s been tested for heart attacks, which is a similar service.”

The deadline to submit feedback on the proposals for new stroke and trauma care is May 8. Visit healthcareforlondon.nhs.uk to add your views. You can also call 0808 238 5481 or email hfl@ipsos.com