Fight to save Lewisham A&E

Hundreds of people braved the rain this afternoon to protest against the closure of Lewisham Hospital's A&E department.

They say the decision will mean 750 thousand residents will have just one emergency department between them.

Our Health Correspondent Liz Wickham reports.

Hundreds of people gathered to protest against the closure of Lewisham Hospital's A&E department today. They say the closure will mean 750,000 residents will have just one emergency department between them

Hundreds of people are expected to protest against the closure of Lewisham Hospital's A&E department today.

Locals say the A&E's closure would mean 750,000 residents have just one emergency department between them - the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich.

The protest will be begin at Loampit Vale at 2pm and move up Lewisham High Street to the hospital.

In July, the then Health Minister Andrew Lansley MP appointed a special administrator to take over South London Healthcare Trust.

The administrator, Matthew Kershaw, has completed a draft report that recommends Lewisham Hospital close their A&E.

Lewisham Hospital also stands to lose its emergency surgery, ICU and consultant led maternity unit.