Central Middlesex Hospital's Accident and Emergency department will close

Brent’s Labour Party group slam rivals for lack of support over plans by Central Middlesex Hospital

Members of Brent’s Liberal Democrat and Conservative groups have failed to support a speech condemning the closure of Central Middlesex Hospital’s accident and emergency unit.

A motion was put forward at a full council meeting on Monday, July 9, by Labour councillors who criticised the proposals, which were announced last week.

Cllr Krupesh Hirani, lead member for adults and health, who spoke during the meeting, told the Times: “I would have thought that this would be something that all politicians could agree on despite their political party.

“The closure will affect those in the poorest parts of the borough and if you were properly re-structuring the NHS in Brent, Central Middlesex would have an A&E department.”

However, Cllr Paul Lorber, leader of the Lib Dem opposition said: “We need to look at the proposals more carefully.

Cheap shot

“The department has had huge problems in the past which has led to the overnight closure.

“I am a firm believer that getting the best care is more important than getting to the closest hospital; this was a cheap political shot by Labour, trying to lay the blame at the feet of the coalition government when these NHS reforms were initially started in 2007 by a Labour-run government.”

Cllr Reg Colwill, deputy leader of the Conservative party, said that he had previously condemned a plan to close a department at either Northwick Park or Central Middlesex under a Labour government.

He added: “Under the Tory government a huge amount of money has been invested in bringing Northwick Park up to standard.

“I would have liked the A&E to remain at Central Middlesex but it has gone too far now.”