BEXLEY Council has issued its response to a report on the future of healthcare in the borough.

The council has broadly backed the proposals of Trust Special Administrator Matthew Kershaw after he delivered his views on the future of South London Healthcare Trust at the end of October.

A council statement offers support for investment in health services at Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup and favours a new approach to community-based care for older people.

Other points included the retention of the name ‘Queen Mary’s Hospital’ rather than ‘Health Campus’ and concern over the potential closure of A&E and maternity units at Lewisham Hospital.

Bexley Council leader Councillor Teresa O’Neill said: “Given the severity of South London Healthcare Trust’s financial problems there is clearly a need for swift and decisive action to get things back on track.

“Provided the proposals are implemented quickly and efficiently we think they will generally be good news for local residents.”

Consultation on the proposals will end at midnight tonight (Thursday, December 13).

Visit tsa.nhs.uk to register your views and bexley.gov.uk to see the council's full response. 

Matthew Kershaw was appointed to run SLHT after it was plunged into administration in July having ended 2011 with a deficit of £69m.

He will make his final recommendations on the trust's future to health secretary Jeremy Hunt early next year.