Central Middlesex Hospital in Park Royal will lose its A&E department

Hundreds of people took part in a march to protest against plans to axe four accident and emergency departments in north west London.

Campaigners took to the streets on Saturday to highlight the plight of Central Middlesex in Acton Lane, Park Royal, Ealing, Charing Cross and Hammersmith hospitals who will all lose their casualty departments.

In addition the maternity unit in Ealing Hospital will also be closed.

Ealing Council has referred the NHS decision to the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt MP so he can order an investigation led by an independent panel.

Earlier this month, Cllr Muhammed Butt, leader of Brent Council, also pledged to write to Mr Hunt following months of uncertainty about the town hall’s stance about the closures.

He attended the march alongside Cllr Zaffar Van Kalwala, Cllr krupesh Hirani and Cllr Krupa Sheth.

Cllr Butt said: “It was fantastic to see so many Brent residents turn up to defend our NHS. The Government promised that they would invest heavily in Northwick Park Hospital and out-of-hospital services before even considering closing Central Middlesex A&E. We now know they do not intend to keep that promise.

“I urge all Brent residents to get involved with the campaign – nothing is more important to our community than our local health service.”

The two separate marches started at Southall Park and Acton Park ending with a rally at Ealing Common.

Navin Shah, Labour Assembly member for Brent and Harrow, who also attended the march where he addressed the crowd.

He told the Times: “The demonstration showed the strength of opposition to the closure of A & Es and resolve to save our Hospitals and NHS from Government cuts.

“I’m lobbying Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, to come out against the closure of A & Es including that at the Central Middlesex Hospital.”