Government response

Jeremy Hunt reaction to Lewisham A&E appeal

The Court of Appeal ruled today that DH did not have the power to implement cuts at Lewisham Hospital in south east London.

• From: Department of Health and Social Care
• Published: 29 October 2013

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said:

I completely understand why the residents of Lewisham did not want any change in their A & E services, but my job as Health Secretary is to protect patients across South London - and doctors said these proposals would save lives. We are now looking at the law to make sure that at a time of great challenge the NHS is able to change and innovate when local doctors believe it is in the interests of patients.

Published 29 October 2013