Concerns raised over hospital sell-off (From Haringey Independent)

Concerns raised over Whittington Hospital sell-off

4:30pm Saturday 26th January 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

A Labour councillor has raised concerns about "worrying" cuts to a hospital site.

Parts of the site of the Whittington Hospital in Magdala Avenue will be sold and inpatient wards closed, the maternity unit scaled back and units for women’s health shut.

Councillor Bernice Vanier of Haringey Borough Council has raised concerns about the proposals and the effect it will have on people living in the borough.

The cabinet member for health and adult services said: “These are potentially huge changes to the services provided at the Whittington.

“There’s now a real danger Haringey residents will see a significant reduction in the services available to them locally.

“The proposed cuts to maternity provision are particularly worrying – they’re a much valued service relied upon by thousands of households across Haringey.

“It’s simply unacceptable that families will now be forced to travel to other parts of London and the proposals must be looked at again urgently.

She added: “Whether around inpatient care, maternity provision, or care for older people, Haringey residents now need assurances that the local services that they’ve relied upon for years aren’t coming to an end.”