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Virendra Shama MP Puts Stroke Services at Ealing Hospital on the Parliamentary Agenda

VIRENDRA SHARMA MP PUTS STROKE SERVICES AT EALING HOSPITAL ON THE PARLIAMENTARY AGENDA


Virendra Sharma MP for Ealing Southall is leading the fight against the proposed closure of the stroke unit at Ealing Hospital.  Healthcare for London proposed and consulted on a major overhaul of stroke services across the capital.  If the plans go ahead, Ealing Hospital's stroke unit would close and patients would be taken to Charing Cross or Northwick Park Hospital, both around a 30 minute ambulance journey time, which Virendra Sharma MP vehemently opposes.  Virendra Sharma MP has raised the matter in Parliament, tabling an Early Day Motion in mid-May about the proposed closure.

In addition, on the 27th May, Virendra Sharma MP welcomed Alan Johnson MP, Secretary of State for Health on a campaign visit to Southall and discussed the issues and problems if the proposed plans went forward.  Mr Sharma will also present the case in Parliament at an adjournment debate in Westminster Hall on 3rd June and ask the Health Minister to respond to concern about stroke services in Ealing and Southall.  This is then followed by a further meeting with Ian Green and Julie Lowe, the Chairman and Chief Executive of Ealing Hospital Trust on 5th June to discuss how to keep up the pressure to retain the stroke unit.  Virendra Sharma has also encouraged local people to oppose the proposed changes during the consultation in his annual Member of Parliament Report that was delivered to every home in the constituency.             

Commenting on the proposed unit closure Virendra Sharma MP said, “The plan to close the stroke unit is flawed. The need for locally based stroke services is great given the high incidence of stroke conditions in the local community. On average around 550 strokes occur in Ealing each year and the prospect of closing the unit would be critical”.