CAMPAIGNERS to save Harefield Hospital were celebrating on Friday, August 17, after learning a decision concerning the future of the hospital had been postponed until autumn at the earliest.

An article in The Evening Standard on Friday, August 17, stated the proposal to combine Harefield and Royal Brompton hospitals with a new development in Paddington had been put on hold, following objections from local health campaigners.

Chairman of the Heart of Harefield campaign, Mrs Jean Brett, welcomed the news as a considerable victory for the campaigners, who have sent thousands of letters of protest against the closure of the site.

She said: "We are absolutely delighted the strength of the Save Harefield campaign has forced the would-be closers to admit a decision will not be made until the earliest in the autumn. Had the people not fought, the decision would have been earlier in the year and could have gone against Harefield."

However, this week, a spokesman for the department of health denied the decision had been delayed.

The spokesman said: "We have never actually set a date for when this would be done so to say this is disingenuous.

"The decision hasn't been postponed because, to have a postponement, there has to have been a date set."

A spokesman for Harefield Hospital confirmed the date had never been "set in stone" but added that, because Brent, Harrow and Hillingdon community health councils (CHC) had objected to the proposals in February, the decision had not been made earlier this year as originally expected.

However, Mrs Brett rejected this, explaining that Secretary of State for Health Alan Milburn had had seven months to make a decision.

She said: "It is perfectly obvious the decision on the closure at Harefield has been postponed because the chief executive of Harefield announced in the last board meeting on Wednesday, July 11, no decision will be made on Harefield until at least the autumn. The department of health saying otherwise stretches the truth to its furthest possible level."

The department of health will be publishing a discussion paper on the issue in the autumn and further consultation with "key stakeholders" will take place. According to the department spokesman, a decision will be made once this consultation has finished, but no date has been set as yet.

The spokesman said: "We are aware of the concerns of the service and of the patients. This is a hugely important and very significant service. These are important decisions that can't be made lightly. That's why we are issuing the consultation papers, which will set out a range of options."

August 24, 2001 12:17

Joanne Davis