PROPOSALS to close Harefield Hospital are at odds with the Government's commitment to tackle heart disease, according to the MP which represents the area in which it is based.

Mr John Wilkinson MP gave his second speech in the House of Commons on Thursday, July 27, opposing plans to transfer the world famous specialist heart and lung hospital to Paddington, west London.

A three month consultation into its closure and that of its sister hospital the Royal Brompton in Chelsea began last month.

It has been proposed by the West London Forum made up of west London health authorities.

In his adjournment debate, Mr Wilkinson, told the house that since the consultations on specialist hospital services began the financial background had changed dramatically because of the extra money announced for the NHS by the Chancellor and because of the NHS Plan.

He quoted from this recently published Government white paper saying its section on heart disease pledges millions of pounds for investement and modernisation over the next four years, which he said could be implemented more quickly by extending Harefield.

But added: 'According to current plans the Paddington Basin site will not be operational until 2006.

'The Government are pursuing a strategy to combat heart disease with great vigour - one hopes.

'Let them do so now by putting some of that extra money into Harefield. It would be the simplest and most cost effective solution, as well as the most appreciated by my constituents.'

He also warned that NHS bosses risked losing the accessibility of the hospital - which is close to motorways, airports and has a helicopter pad and experienced nurses, because some of the team at Harefield had told him they would not travel to Paddington.

But he added: 'We should try to ensure that Harefield Hospital, which the Secretary of State acknowledged as pre-eminent in its field, should continue and go from strength to strength.'

A spokesman for the West London Forum said one large centre would help it meet the Government's targets and in the meantime it would ensure existing Trusts such as Harefield and the Royal Brompton could carry out more operations.

'If the new hospital is built,' he said. 'More operations will be carried out than currently and allow for combined research between the Brompton and Harefield with Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine and its school of medicine in Bayswater.'

Three Rivers District Council has already sent its response to the consultation document.

It's executive committee agreed on Monday, July 24, to formally oppose the proposals unless 'convincing financially viable plans have been drawn up and implemented to replace them at Watford General and other assessable London hospitals' and if transfer goes ahead provision for investigative and acute coronary care must be made at Watford General.

The response proposed by councillor Ann Shaw, leader of Three Rivers District Council, said relocation would 'deprive' the local community which has a high level of heart disease.