ANGRY residents and politicans have slammed Healthcare for London's decision to locate specialist stroke and trauma services miles outside the borough.

Anyone who suffers a major trauma, such as gun-shot wounds, will now have to travel to St Mary's Hospital, in Paddington, or The Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel - two of four new trauma centres planned for the capital.

The Royal Free Hospital, in Hampstead, was rejected as a site because St Mary's was believed to be more conveniently located for west London, with better transport links.

Anyone who has a stroke will be taken to Northwick Park Hospital, in Harrow, or University College Hospital, in central London – two of eight new hyper-acute stroke units to be built.

The Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) approved the plans yesterday, despite 2,335 Barnet residents - 89 per cent all those polled - rejecting the plans.

Conservative MP for Chipping Barnet, Theresa Villiers, said: "This news will come as a huge blow to my Chipping Barnet constituents. The knowledge that they will have to travel so far to access crucial services will be a source of real anxiety.

“Labour's record on the NHS in Barnet is dismal. Barnet has one of the highest stroke rates in London, but in an emergency my constituents will have to make the lengthy and difficult journey into central London to receive treatment.”

Barbara Lister, 67, from High Road, Barnet, said Ms Villiers' concerns were "well-founded".

"My husband had a heart attack three years ago and barely survived the ordeal," she said. "The ambulance seemed to take forever to get to the hospital and when we finally got there, he was barely with us.

"I'm terrified he might not make it next time if we have to travel so far outside Barnet.

"These plans may be good for some Londoners, but they are definitely not good for us.

"Thousands of people here objected, but nothing changed. The consultation was a waste of time. I feel like our views were completely ignored."

The two other major acute trauma centres will be located at King's College Hospital, in Denmark Hill, and St George's Hospital, in Tooting. They will treat the most seriously injured patients, such as those with multiple injuries, life-threatening wounds and multiple fractures.

The centres will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will be staffed by consultant-led specialist teams.

The eight hyper-acute stroke centres will provide specialist care to patients following a stroke, after which they will be transferred to one of 24 local stroke units to continue their recovery.

CT scans and other vital tests, which now can have waiting lists of up to 24 hours, should be carried out within one hour of arrival.

The centres will be located at Queen's Hospital, Romford; The Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington; The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel; Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith; Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow; King's College Hospital; St George's Hospital and University College Hospital.

The first of the stroke and trauma centres will open next year, with all of the facilities expected to open by summer 2011.

The NHS predicts the specialist units will save 500 lives a year.

Richard Sumray, chairman of the JCPCT, said: “These new centres will benefit all Londoners. They will radically improve the care of stroke and major trauma patients by guaranteeing access to the best clinical expertise and technology, 24 hours a day.

“These new centres will save hundreds of lives and prevent long-term disability for thousands of people.”

Matt Thompson, clinical lead for trauma services in London, said: “The new trauma system – to be made up of major trauma centres linked to local trauma centres – will rival the best in the world.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for London to improve the care of these seriously injured patients.”

Dr Nick Losseff, interim clinical director for stroke services in London, said: “Never before have we had the opportunity to make so much positive change in one single, and much-needed, health reform.

“Stroke patients will get quicker assessment and diagnostic tests, and better ongoing monitoring and rehabilitation under these plans.

"Patients and their families can be assured that these plans will save lives and prevent disability.”