Ealing Stroke Unit -- Latest

Ok folks -- it's official. Yesterday "Healthcare for London" published the details of their London-wide strategy for trauma services across the capital. You can wade your way through the ton weight of reports, but to save you the trouble: bottom line is, Ealing Hospital's high-performing stroke unit is going to close. The key sentence can be found in appendix 3e, page 23:

"It should be noted that five hospitals that presently serve as strokeunits (A&E hospitals) would no longer offer stroke, acute, or rehabilitative care.These are Ealing (Southall), Central Middlesex (Harrow), Queen Mary’s (Sidcup),The Whittington (Islington) and Chase Farm (Enfield)."

Southall? I thought it was in Hanwell. Never mind -- wherever it is, it'll be flatlining shortly.

So if you're planning on having a massive stroke in Ealing from next year, cross your fingers the journey to Harrow or Hammersmith will be shorter than the journey to Heaven. And spare a thought next time you see the blue lights flashing in your rear view mirror, battling east along the Great West Road.

How did our politicians perform then? Ealing Council spoke up for Ealing Hospital but didn't exactly rock the boat. Virendra Sharma, to be fair, did his best. Stephen Pound for once fell unusually silent and ostrich-like -- and did nothing. Ian Gibb followed developments and supported Ealing Hospital. Angie Bray, who seems to ignore any issue that looks like trouble, didn't have any kind of vocal opinion. Phil Taylor who has an opinion about everything was somewhere else. Nothing from Bassam Mahfouz. Looks to me like they all failed.

Anyway, here's the map of the future (red cross = stroke unit):

Closure of Ealing stroke unit -- Pound still not interested

As reported by Conservative candidate for Ealing North, Ian Gibb, incumbent MP Stephen Pound still hasn't got round to signing Virendra Sharma's Early Day Motion opposing the proposed closure of Ealing Hospital's stroke unit (EDM here).

Ealing's stroke unit has been rated in the top 25%, however as a result of a London-wide strategy to establish four new "major trauma centres" across the capital, the unit is set to close. A final decision is expected this month.

As Gibb points out, Pound is an enthusiastic signer of EDMs on all manner of topics, from chickens to Hugo Chavez, but when it comes to the health of his own constituents, he appears uncharacteristically reticent! Why?

Ian Gibb's article here.

Closure of Ealing Hospital Stroke Unit

Virendra Sharma, Labour MP for Ealing Southall, has tabled an Early Day Motion in opposition to a proposed closure of Ealing Hospital's stroke unit. So why exactly has Stephen Pound, his party colleague and fellow MP for Ealing North, declined to sign it?




Stephen Pound (and friends)

Stephen Pound, gets around

In my part of Ealing the current MP is a fellow called Stephen Pound, and boy, does he get around!

Rent-a-quote Steve claimed £4,251 in mileage costs. Holy crap. Apparently that converts to....11,004 miles --Kerching! (em...Ealing Broadway is about 8 miles from Westminster).

What's up -- is he moonlighting as a taxi driver? He certainly looks like one.

"Said he drove between his constituency and Westminster two or three times a day to get 'out and about'".

That's right Steve, we all do that. And of course, if someone would check the congestion charge records, that would completely prove the probity of your claim...wouldn't it?

I'm heading into town tomorrow -- any chance of lift?