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Lewisham A&E downgraded

An A&E department and maternity services at a major hospital will be downgraded, Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt told MPs

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  1. Simon Harris

Fate of Lewisham Hospital decided

A downgraded Accident and Emergency Department - but the end of the maternity unit.

After months of waiting, the people of South East London heard today whether they had won their very public battle to keep Lewisham Hospital just as it is.

The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt decided that A and E should stay - but be smaller.

The maternity unit has been axed.

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Unison: Downgrade will have consequences

Dave Prentis, leader of Unison, said downgrading the services will have long-term consequences for the capital.

The union accused the Government of failing to listen to the concerns and arguments of clinicians, patients, hospital staff, unions and the local community.

The campaign to protect Lewisham's A&E and maternity services has shown that people are willing to stand up and fight to keep their NHS safe and local.

The long-term impact of the downgrade - and whether today's announcement is just a repackaging of the original plans - remains to be seen.

We know that a major reorganisation of emergency services is planned, which makes today's decision even more premature.

Lewisham is not the first and won't be the last hospital to come under attack by this Government. Its disastrous NHS reorganisation and squeezes on funding are causing cuts and closures across the country."

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Campaigners brand government arrogant and stupid

Our reporter Paul Brand has been watching Jeremy Hunt's announcement on the future of Lewisham hospital with the campaigners who protested against the plans.

Burnham reaction to Hunt statement

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