COMPLEX operations to treat circulation problems may cease at Whipps Cross University Hospital.
NHS bosses are expected to agree that patients undergoing vascular surgery must travel to Royal London in Whitechapel or Queens Hospital in Romford.
Afzal Akram, chairman of primary care trust NHS Waltham Forest says moving surgery to the specialist units will provide better care for patients.
He added: “Doctors and patients across London agree that the proposals to concentrate complex vascular surgery in fewer, better equipped hospitals with surgeons who are experts in these procedures make sense.
“At the moment, some surgeons don’t see enough of these types of patients to maintain their skills. Also, there are new techniques for treating strokes for example, which require highly-specialised staff.
“We hope that the meeting will see the proposals adopted by the joint committees and that we can start work to provide the improved vascular service that our residents want, need, and deserve.”
Primary care trusts officials are expected to agree the plan at a meeting on October 12.
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