Officials Confirm victory in fight to save King George A&E

Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) and Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge CCGs (BHR CCGs) have confirmed that King George A&E has been saved from the threat of closure.

In an open letter Chris Brown, Interim Chief Executive at BHRUT, and Ceri Jacob, Managing Director of BHR CCGs confirmed that King George Hospital will continue to provide a type 1 A&E service.

Type 1 A&Es provide a 24/7 emergency care unit with full resuscitation services and rooms for accident and emergency patients.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Jas Athwal commented, “I am delighted with this confirmation that we have won the fight to save King George A&E.

“I have always been firm and clear that an Emergency Care facility was needed at King George Hospital. Our population is growing, and it is essential that local families have access to emergency care when they need it.

“I have visited the A&E many times myself, when as a young man, I broke my leg in a football match and since then I have visited with my four children, when Asthma attacks have struck and injuries have happened at school sports days.

“King George is not just a huge and important part of my life but also it serves as the heart of our community and that is why I have dedicated myself to campaigning for our A&E to stay open. When you trip and break a bone, or when your child wakes up in the night unable to breathe – you need to know help is nearby and that is what King George A&E provides.”