THE FIGHT to save the borough's only accident and emergency (A&E) service is far from over despite health bosses giving proposals the green light, campaigners have said.

Health for North East London (H4NEL) gave its backing to plans to shut both the A&E and maternity services at King George Hospital in Barley Lane, Ilford, at a meeting last week.

H4NEL says shifting emergency treatment to Queen's in Romford and Whipps Cross in Leytonstone will provide better care, but opponents say longer transfer times will harm patient safety.

Ilford North MP Lee Scott, said: “I've written to the Secretary of State Andrew Lansley asking him not to implement it. The councils involved will refer the case to the government in the New Year.

“I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure these changes don't happen.

“I've also been contacting GPs asking them to put into writing why they are opposed to the changes, because not one of the GPs I've spoken to is in favour.

“The whole consultation was flawed. They've ignored the thousands of people who put their name to a petition.

“This fight is far from over, we're a long way off that.”

Redbridge Council leader Keith Prince said an emergency meeting will be held in January, and seized on a statement by H4NEL joint clinical director Dr Mike Gill, which described the changes as “great news” for residents.

Cllr Prince said the decision was “a slap in the face”, before adding: “If the removal of maternity and A&E services from King George is great news, I would hate to be within a mile of him when there is some bad news.

“Residents can be assured that Redbridge Council and the members of parliament will fight this disgraceful decision to the bitter end.”

Wanstead resident and veteran healthcare campaigner, Helen Zammet, said: “The whole thing is so complicated I don't know how anyone was meant to get their head around the issue while the public consultation was going on.”

She also said the move could also have knock-on effects for Wanstead's Heronwood and Galleon rehabilitation wards, which she fears could be sold off to meet the estimated £36,000,000 cost of reorganising A&E care.