Lewisham A&E under threat

A newly-refurbished Accident and Emergency department could be closed to help solve the financial crisis afflicting the South London NHS Trust.

The trust is riddled with debt -- and was on the brink of bankruptcy.

The recommendation for shutting Lewisham's A and E comes from a special administrator.It's in draft proposals which now go out for public consultation, before Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt makes a final decision next year.

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Matthew Kershaw, the Trust Special Administrator, has put together a set of draft proposals to rescue South East London's hospitals from spiralling debt

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The Trust administrator claims the £204m debt will rise to £447m if proposed changes are not implemented.

From @simonharrisitv on Twitter: (12:09 pm, Mon 29 Oct 2012)

A&E in south east London will be provided by King's, Tommys, QE and Princess Royal. @londontonight

From @simonharrisitv on Twitter: (12:02 pm, Mon 29 Oct 2012)

University Hospital Lewisham is the biggest casualty of the shake-up - set to lose both A&E and maternity. @londontonight

From @simonharrisitv on Twitter: (11:59 am, Mon 29 Oct 2012)

Draft recommendations have been published following the administration of South London Healthcare NHS Trust.

The administrator, Matthew Kershaw, has confirmed there will be job losses, as a result of the trust's spiralling debts.

Lewisham Hospital looks likely to lose its Accident and Emergency and Maternity wards.

A period of consultation is due to begin on the 2nd November, which will end on the 13th December. A report with final recommendations will be delivered in January 2013.

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How we reported the story on London Tonight in June 2012.

Private Finance Initiatives are being blamed for spiralling debts which have put a south London NHS Trust into special measures.

A government-appointed administrator has warned that jobs will go. The Accident and Emergency and Maternity units at Lewisham hospital are under threat of closure as part of an NHS rescue proposal.

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The administrator confirms jobs will be lost. @londontonight

From @simonharrisitv on Twitter: (10:41 am, Mon 29 Oct 2012)

South London Healthcare NHS Trust was £65m in the red last year. @londontonight

From @simonharrisitv on Twitter: (10:50 am, Mon 29 Oct 2012)

A government-appointed administrator has confirmed that jobs will be lost in south London hospitals, after South London Healthcare NHS Trust became the first to go into administration.

The new report says the Accident and Emergency unit at Lewisham Hospital is facing closure, along with its maternity unit.

South London Healthcare NHS Trust, which serves one million people in Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich, was put into administration in July after going into debt.

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