Lewisham Hospital pays for neighbour's collapse

The changes which will see the A&E department and maternity services at Lewisham Hospital in south east London both downgraded are part of a shake-up of services in the capital after the financial collapse of a neighbouring NHS trust.

The overhaul was proposed by a special administrator in response to nearby South London Healthcare NHS Trust going into administration after it started losing around £1.3m a week.

The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt rejected a plan to replace Lewisham's A&E unit with an "urgent care" centre, but accepted the recommendations of a further review by NHS medical director Sir Bruce Keogh that Lewisham should have a "smaller A&E service with 24/7 senior emergency medical cover."

The unit will continue to see up to three-quarters of those currently attending Lewisham A&E.