THE LATEST move in plans to close a vital A&E department has been branded “completely chaotic” by campaigners fighting to save it.

The Department of Health (DoH) decided to close King George Hospital’s A&E in Goodmayes in 2011, but said it would only do so once facilities at Queen’s Hospital in Romford and Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone could cope with the extra demand.

Plans to close the A&E in 2017 in the run up to full closure further down the line were revealed in April last year.

But in a letter from the executive lead of the local Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) it was yesterday revealed (January 25) that those plans have been dropped – but the A&E will still close completely in 2019.

MP for Ilford North Wes Streeting who is part of a campaign to save the department branded the Government’s decision making “completely chaotic”.

He said: “It is now clear those responsible for making major decisions about the future of key services don’t seem to know if they’re coming or going.

“It will be a welcome, but temporary, relief to residents that the overnight closures planned for this year have been cancelled.

“But against this chaotic backdrop, it is utterly shameful the Government plans to go ahead with full closure in two years’ time.

“Population pressures, funding and capacity at neighbouring hospitals have changed since this decision was taken.

“The Government should look again at this decision or reverse it completely.”

His Parliamentary colleague in Ilford South Mike Gapes said although the temporary measures are welcome “the long-term threat of full closure still remains”.

He added: “They haven’t got the money to do what they’re planning.

“Over £75 million is needed to make sure facilities at Queen’s and Whipps Cross can cope with the closure.

“But why spend that money when we have the facilities already at King George?

“They need to rethink the whole thing.”

Redbridge Council has said it too is “disappointed” by the Government’s latest move.

Cabinet member for health and adult social care Cllr Mark Santos urged people to join him and other councillors at the Save King George A&E rally in Valentines Park at 1.30pm on March 18.

He said: “Our concern is that the closure plans contain out of date assumptions about population growth and the changing nature of our communities.

“These plans were made some years ago. The public need to have faith and confidence that these plans will ensure safe and good quality care.

“The way that this process has started does not give that confidence.

“Join us at the rally and help lend your voice to tell the Government to properly fund our NHS.”

Veteran NHS campaigner in Redbridge Andy Walker claims the A&E closure will mean 272 bed cuts and "worse care for patients".

Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals Trust and NHS England have been contacted for comment.