After months of uncertainty and a big campaign by Lewisham residents there was finally some good news about the future of University Hospital Lewisham last night.  A joint meeting of the Primary Care Trusts decided to maintain Lewisham as a District General Hospital and to support it in working more closely with neighbouring hospitals like Kings and Guy’s/St. Thomas rather than far flung outer London Hospitals.

"We welcome the decision to remove the threat that has been hanging over services at Lewisham Hospital - during the consultation we listened carefully to Lewisham residents and together we made it clear that the Paediatric services, Maternity Services and A&E services which meet the needs of local people must be maintained at University Hospital Lewisham. Today's decision demonstrates that the PCTs have also been listening."

"We recognise that there is a need to maintain and improve standards in these and other services and look forward to working with colleagues in the NHS to make sure that is achieved.  We did not ask for the services to be frozen in time and we recognise that there will be changes made in the best interests of patients.  The fact that these changes are being made in the context of UHL continuing as a District General Hospital is reassuring."

"We now urge all concerned to move quickly to make those necessary service improvements in order to remove any remaining uncertainties and to keep faith with staff and patients in Lewisham."

Sir Steve Bullock, Mayor Of Lewisham

Jim Dowd, Member of Parliament for Lewisham West

Bridget Prentice, Member of Parliament for Lewisham East

Joan Ruddock, Member of Parliament for Lewisham Deptford

Alan Hall, Chair Lewisham Council Labour Group