I AM writing in an attempt to raise Bexley residents' awareness of the backhanded way our hospital is being downgraded.

For the past few weeks full page advertisements have been appearing in the press informing us of the new services now on offer for Bexley residents.

I was surprised to see one entitled Only A Heartbeat Away. It informed us basic heart tests can now be done at a GP surgery or at Darent Valley Hospital.

Please be aware this is not a new service - most GPs already do the basic ECG tests.

The other heart tests referred to such as echo scanning, exercise treadmill (stress test) and the more invasive procedure of angiograms are already prvided at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sudcup.

So are we now going to be sent to Darent Valley under the guise this is a new service? Why are we being sent, when Queen Mary's can do the same?

I believe this is a way of trying to downgrade our hospital, trying to take away our essential services.

It will then enable them to say these services are no longer being used by Bexley residents. This is happening before we the public can get a say. What has happened to the promised public consultation?

As patients you are entitled to choose where you wish to go for hospital tests and surgery. Make sure you ask your GP to refer you to Queen Mary's.

ELAINE ROLES

Warwick Road

Sidcup