Graham Durham, secretary of Brent NHS Patients’ Campaign, writes to medics

A campaigner has joined the fight to save a casualty department from closure by writing to every GP in the borough.

Graham Durham, secretary of Brent NHS Patients Campaign, is calling on GP’s to fight the closure of the Accident and Emergency Department at Central Middlesex Hospital, in Harlesden.

The casualty department, which underwent a �62m refurbishment in 2006, will close for good under the Shaping a Healthier Future programme, a scheme managed by NHS North West London to transform health care in eight London boroughs.

The proposals put forward three options, however none of them retain the A&E unit.

The letter reads: “As a local doctor dedicated to serving Brent patients we are asking you to join us in helping us to prevent serious damage to local patients.”

“We know that many local GPs are very concerned about these cuts and are beginning to speak out about their concerns and the impact on health care and patients for the growing population of over 2 million people living in NW London.”

In protest at the plans various community groups including Brent NHS Patients and Brent Fightback will hold a march on September 15.

Their crusade has also been supported by the Leader of Brent Council, Cllr Muhammed Butt.

The consultation into the shaping a healthier future programme was launched in July and will end in October.