Hunt is 'NHS vandal'

Today the High Court overturned Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt’s decision to close A&E and maternity services at Lewisham Hospital.

Mr Justice Silber ruled that Mr Hunt had exceeded his powers in trying to reduce services at the hospital, and he had not "have regard to, or be supported by, GP commissioners".

"I considered that it was the absence of support from the local GP commissioners which constituted an additional reason why the decision of the Secretary of State cannot stand," he said.

Steve Turner, Uniteexecutive director of policy, said: “The decision to cut services at Lewisham hospital was idiotic from the outset. But Jeremy Hunt chose his ideology over medical and community sense which is why he has been slapped down by the court today.

"The judge today has exposed the government as NHS vandals, with a health secretary prepared to flout its own rules to destroy a successful hospital.

“Jeremy Hunt has been told loudly and clearly - you acted unlawfully and outside your powers.

"He was told this long ago but would not listen. It is a testament to the medical professionals and the people of Lewisham that they fought the health secretary all the way to save their services.

"He must now accept this ruling and set aside any notion that he will come back to court determined to destroy Lewisham hospital."

Mr Turner said PFI debts are "crippling" NHS services in south London.

A Department for Health spokesman said:

"This judgment applies to one aspect of a package of changes which we believe are in the best long-term interests of patients and the public across south-east London.

"We expect to continue other elements of that package of changes, including the dissolution of the South London Healthcare NHS Trust, planned for October 1 - although there are a number of steps to go before that can take place."