Who sits in the offices and decides it would be a good idea to transfer St Helier's A&E and maternity services to another overworked hospital, especially as the chosen hospitals are on the perimeter of a vastly populated area instead of a central point which could cater for much more of the community.

Also all three of the proposed hospitals are in a very highly congested area and there would be inevitable delays visitng them from Sutton which could be dangerous.

Whilst waiting for a clinical appointment at St Helier recently a lady related her experience when, one evening she attended St George's Accident and Emergency (A&E).

There were about 100 people already waiting. The doctor suggested to her that she might as well go home and get some sleep as she would not be not be seen until the morning- she could come back then.

Who in their right mind would add to these problems by closing another extremely busy A&E at St Helier.

Not long ago I had to attend A&E twice in one day. I don't know how I could get to St George's so I would have had to use taxis, this would have cost me £56.

Babies have a habit of taking their own decisions on to when and where they want to enter the world, and their choice is normally St Helier.

The reason is, it is easily accessible and if there are any problems their needs could be catered for. It could, infact, be the difference between life and death.

Incidentally beds would need to be available for people who come into A&E and maternity to the area - how many beds are there at the proposed hospitals to cater for this?

Isn't it time we became more vocal before any final decision is taken by a small number of people ignoring the communities wishes?

Even the television news have pointed out that Lewisham have achieved a small victory but they will continue to pressurise the decision makers for a complete victory.

The TV also said that St Helier and North London will be watching Lewisham's fight.

P Hibberd
Carshalton