A ROADSHOW has been held for residents to find out more about proposed changes to hospital services.

A presentation was given at Lewisham Methodist Church Hall, Albion Way, about A Picture of Health plans and how they could affect Lewisham Hospital.

The proposals would see some services moved from hospitals to GP surgeries and health centres.

Urgent Care Centres would be set up at hospitals to treat three-quarters of patients currently dealt with by A&E.

Magda Moorey, chairman of the professional executive committee, a group of health professionals which sits on the board of Lewisham Primary Care Trust, spoke at the meeting.

She said: "Much of what happens in hospitals doesn't need to happen on a hospital site.

"Why don't we bring some of those services nearer to home and to peoples' communities."

There are three options set out in the consultation for Lewisham Hospital; Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich; Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, and The Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough.

Under option one, Lewisham Hospital would become a new "medically admitting" hospital, receiving medical emergencies in A&E, but performing emergency surgery only in life-threatening circumstances.

The second option would see it continue as a "full admitting hospital" treating medical and surgical emergencies.

Under the third option it would become a "borough hospital" which does not have any emergency care services.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital would continue to provide emergency treatment but would no longer carry out planned or non-urgent surgery.

Ms Moorey said it was not an option to leave things as they were.

She said: "We need to do something in the next three to five years.

"This is because of urgent clinical issues and urgent financial issues.

"No decisions regarding options have been taken yet."

The consultation ends the week beginning April 7.

For more information and to get involved in the consultation, visit the website apictureofhealth.nhs.uk/

  • Residents in Charlton and Eltham will get to have their say on the health plans at workshops this month.

The first one is at The Eltham Centre, 2 Archery Road, Eltham, on March 15 between 11am and 3pm.

A second event is on March 31 at the Greenwich Shopping Park, Bugsby Way, Charlton, between 11am and 4pm.