Veteran campaigner Jean Brett steps in to help save Harefield

A RICKMANSWORTH woman who was heavily involved in the fight to save Watford General Hospital from closure is now leading a campaign to fend off a similar threat to Harefield Hospital.

Last Thursday, a consultation document was launched into the proposed closure of the world famous heart hospital and transfer of its services to a new site in Paddington.

On Sunday, Mrs Jean Brett, of Money Hill Road, agreed to become chairman of Heart of Harefield - a group which has been set up to fight the proposals.

Mrs Brett, who is chairman of Watch (Watford Against Threats to Close Hospitals) which was set up to fight the closure of Watford General, said she felt it was her 'duty' to lead the campaign.

She added: 'I am a very busy woman so accepting the chairmanship was a hard decision for me but I felt if I didn't it would be on my conscience.

'Heart of Harefield needed someone who knew how to stop a hospital closing and knows the system.

'What is being proposed is vandalism of an extremely successful hospital with an international reputation. It should be developed not closed down - but this hasn't even considered properly.

'I believe we can win.'

Heart of Harefield was set up earlier this year by groups concerned with the future of Harefield Hospital, including the Hamsters, which supports transplant patients and Re-Beat which supports non-transplant heart patients.

It was formed when the West London Forum, a group made up of ten health authorities, published the results of a two year review of heart, lung and renal services in west London, which said their favoured options were the transfer of Harefield's services either to its sister hospital, the Royal Brompton in Chelsea, or services at both to the new development in Paddington, London.

Campaigners argue London's pollution would be detrimental to heart and lung patients, would split a successful team and destroy the village in which it is based.

In the consultation document issued by west London health authorities: Brent and Harrow; Ealing; Hammersmith and Hounslow; Hillingdon; and Kensington, Chelsea and Westminister; the Paddington option is favourite.

They argue that bigger specialist units need to be created to sustain and improve expertise, to cut costs and because they need to be close to other specialist centres and hospitals for support.

Mr Charlie Roe, chief officer of Hillingdon Community Health Council, was critical of the document.

He said: 'It's very slim and I feel the reasoning behind it is not convincing.

'We are concerned that this tertiary service may be sucked into London.'

Harefield's MP Mr John Wilkinson urged the public to get involved.

'The consultation document is full of assertion but little substantive argument.

'We must do everything we can to save Harefield Hospital.'

A number of public meetings have been arranged which start next week and run throughout August and September. One is being held at St Helen's School, Eastbury Road, Northwood, on Wedneday, August 16, at 7pm,.

Views can be sent to John James, chief executive, Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Health Authority, 50 Eastbourne Terrace, London W2 6LX, or registered on web site address: www.wlhas.org.uk

All comments must be received by November 13.

For further information call 020 7725 3201.

ccooley@london.newsquest.co.uk