This morning I joined Jim Dowd MP (Lewisham West & Penge), Heidi Alexander MP (Lewisham East) and dozens of supporters of the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign outside the High Court to mark the beginning of the legal battle to save Lewisham Hospital's A&E and maternity services.
I am feeling optimistic about our legal case because I think the only person in the country who isn't against this complete travesty is the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt MP. If there is any justice we should win the case.
I have never known a campaign of this size, with the public, GPs, hospital workers and Lewisham Council united in their fight.
I am feeling optimistic about our legal case because I think the only person in the country who isn't against this complete travesty is the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt MP. If there is any justice we should win the case.
I have never known a campaign of this size, with the public, GPs, hospital workers and Lewisham Council united in their fight.
Two separate reviews - one instigated by Lewisham Council and the other by the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign - will run concurrently.
The council's principle argument is that the powers of former TSA Matthew Kershaw over South London Healthcare Trust did not extend to Lewisham, so his recommendations are unlawful.
If this first argument fails, the council will also back Save Lewisham Hospital's claim that the TSA and Jeremy Hunt did not meet the criteria of four tests required for the reconfiguration of NHS services.
The hearing is set to run until Thursday and a decision is expected a couple of weeks later.
The council's principle argument is that the powers of former TSA Matthew Kershaw over South London Healthcare Trust did not extend to Lewisham, so his recommendations are unlawful.
If this first argument fails, the council will also back Save Lewisham Hospital's claim that the TSA and Jeremy Hunt did not meet the criteria of four tests required for the reconfiguration of NHS services.
The hearing is set to run until Thursday and a decision is expected a couple of weeks later.
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