LCC Broadcast News Room

Proposed NHS budget cuts could lead to the closing of A&E units and hospital wards across London. 

Up to £5bn could be cut by 2017, with hospitals being converted into polyclinics and A&E units being closed.

Polyclinics will replace wards and A&E units, with up to 100 set  to open around the capital as hospital wards close.

The changes mean that 75% of visits to casualty and 50% of outpatient treatments will be dealt with at a polyclinic by a locum doctor or a nurse.

Chase Farm in Enfield in North London has already lost its A&E unit and its children's ward, while Queen's hospital in Sidcup is to be turned into a polyclinic.

LCC News spoke exclusively to a doctor at Guy's hospital who told us that the changes will lead to more pressure on GP's and less individual patient care.  John Black, President of the Royal College of Surgeons said that caution was needed before major changes occurred,  and that strong evidence is needed that patient care will not be affected before any changes are made.

Sam Higginson, NHS London's Assistant Direction of Strategy says , "No change will lead to the death of the NHS in London by a thousand cuts. No change is not an option."

Do you think the cuts and polyclinics will be a more efficient way of dealing with illness?