Shake-up of emergency hospital care 'will risk lives of patients'

They warned plans for overhauling stroke and trauma care in London will place an "intolerable" burden on emergency services.

The reforms, outlined in a public consultation document, include proposals for four "super-centres" providing 24-hour specialist care.

St Mary's in Paddington, St George's in Tooting, the Royal London in Whitechapel, and King's College have all been earmarked for treating life-threatening cases.

Health chiefs say the state-of-the-art units will save 500 lives a year by providing specialist treatment.

Patients with less serious injuries will still be dealt with at "trauma networks" of district hospitals around the capital. Stroke care will be concentrated in eight dedicated centres so patients will no longer be sent to local units.

But Healthcare for London, which is responsible for the plans, revealed it could take up to 45 minutes for patients to reach a trauma centre and 30 for a stroke unit.

Campaigners say people living in north-west London especially will face long journeys to receive care.

Health Emergency warned that care offered by local casualty units will be undermined. Spokesman Geoff Martin said: "This is a bleak picture for healthcare in London. The 45 minute target is not achievable and it's going to place an intolerable burden on ambulance services. Lives will be put at risk."

The creation of dedicated centres is part of a 10-year vision for London.

Doctors at the major trauma centres will perform emergency brain surgery and complex bone operations. The Royal London is currently the only hospital in the capital providing such specialist treatment.

Healthcare bosses this week backed St Mary's as one of their "preferred" options above the Royal Free. Health minister Lord Darzi, who drew up the emergency care reforms, is a consultant at St Mary's.

The consultation will last 14 weeks and the findings will be considered by a panel of primary care trust bosses.

Healthcare for London has promised a £12million investment in the trauma centres and in A&E departments.

Mike Walsh, head of trauma at the Royal London, said local hospitals would still play a critical role. "Only the most severe patients will get treated at a major centre."