Read the lastest statement, on behalf of our Trust and local healthcare partners, regarding King George Hospital:

We express our concern at recent capital funding decisions affecting Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering.  A bid of £70m for capital investment in Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT) was unsuccessful.

Health facilities across BHR need capital investment, our populations are growing rapidly and changing. The demands on the local health infrastructure are considerable. It was therefore both disappointing and concerning that the capital funding allocation for the local area was so low.

We want to be very clear, the threat of closure of the Accident and Emergency unit arising from decisions in 2011 has been removed. There will continue to be an Accident and Emergency unit at King George Hospital. The local population has changed significantly since 2011 and is forecast to change further, there is a clear need for Accident and Emergency provision at King George Hospital both now and into the future.

Cllr Jas Athwal, Leader, Redbridge Council

Cllr Damian White, Leader, Havering Council

Cllr Darren Rodwell, Leader, Barking and Dagenham Council

Chris Bown, interim Chief Executive, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT)

Ceri Jacob, Managing Director, Barking and Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge CCGs (BHR CCGs)

Read the statement in full.