Cartoon by John Sadler

Copy of a letter to Dominic Dodd, Chair, & David Sloman, Chief Executive, of the Royal Free Hospital

• WE in North Central London NHS Watch are concerned at the decision of the Royal Free to send patients for elective surgery to be treated at the Chase Farm hospital.

Journeys for patients, family and friends will be extremely difficult and lengthy involving, from Camden, complex routes by three buses or similar bus and train journeys, also involving some walking distances.

We are aware that travel to Chase Farm from other parts of North Central London is also difficult. This matter cannot be resolved even by introducing regular bus trips from the Royal Free. Certainly Transport for London could not provide an adequate solution.

While you may have produced a business case for taking this decision you have not made out a community case, nor have you carried out any consultation.

We are also aware of the proposed reorganisation of orthopaedic services, involving the reduction of the number of sites at which these services are carried out.

With discussions about the North Middlesex being absorbed within the Royal Free stable there is a serious risk that the North Middlesex will not provide orthopaedic services. The same travel difficulties indicated above are caused by this proposal.

We should appreciate a detailed response to the concerns spelled out above. Patient satisfaction is a crucial factor. Therefore, we hope that you can assure us that these plans will not be put into effect.

JOHN LIPETZ
On behalf of North Central London NHS Watch