The Richmond and Twickenham Community Health Council wants to meet with the Secretary of State for Health over its plans for Queen Mary's Hospital in Roehampton.

The CHC has written to Frank Dobson seeking further assurances on funding for proposed developments at the hospital. They are also pressing for greater guarantees for the services at Queen Mary's. This includes the outpatients and rapid diagnostics services as well as beds for rehabilitation and care of the elderly.

Richmond Council is also planning to write to Mr Dobson and wants to be part of the discussions. Barnes councillor Katie Gent said: "There is no district general hospital within the Richmond borough boundaries so residents are particularly dependent on hospitals nearby being able to take the increased strain that the closure of Queen Mary's will cause. We are dissatisfied with the underlying inadequacies of the consultation process and funding and the delegation to the Minister will seek strong assurances on these matters. The fight goes on to seek quality healthcare for our residents."

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