TRAUMA and stroke proposals for London should be re-examined following severe criticism from borough residents, says Barnet NHS.

At a public meeting on July 1, NHS Barnet’s Trust Board urged the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) to take Barnet's views into account when it makes a decision on the location of new services.

More than a quarter of all respondents to a recent NHS survey on the proposals were from Barnet - by far the largest proportion of any London borough - and 89 per cent of those voted against the plans.

The proposals would see residents who suffered an serious trauma, such as a gunshot wound, travelling miles outside the borough to St Mary's Hospital, in Paddington, rather than to The Royal Free Hospital, in Hampstead.

The board voiced surprise at the cursory treatment of Barnet responses in the IPSOS MORI evaluation report of the survey, which "seemed more concerned with diminishing the significance of the views expressed rather than with constructively addressing them".

It also noted that only 51 per cent of all respondents supported the proposals and questioned whether this was "a sufficient critical mass of support".

However, the board said it was "generally satisfied" with the overall model of care proposed in the consultation, which would see four new major trauma centres and eight new hyper-acute stroke units open across the capital.

Alison Blair, NHS Barnet acting chief executive, said: “It is very important to clarify to residents that the proposed services are new and in addition to current services available.

"Getting to a hospital with the right team of specialists, with a slightly longer travel time, is more important than reaching the nearest hospital.

"Research has proven that specialist treatment at a major trauma centre has more of an impact on improving the health outcome of patients than the amount of time taken to travel to a hospital.”

Survey respondents also voiced support for a hyper-acute stroke unit at Barnet Hospital, in Wellhouse Lane, Barnet, and the trust said it would put forward the proposal to the JCPCT for consideration.

The JCPCT will make a decision on stroke and trauma services on behalf of all the 31 PCTS in London and south-west Essex at a public meeting on July 20.

The meeting will be held at 11am to 1.30pm at Kensington Town Hall, in Horton Street. Anyone wishing to attend is advised to register by calling 020 8433 6930 or emailing hflevents@csi.nhs.uk.

Papers for the meeting will be available at www.healthcareforlondon.nhs.uk.