Residents concerned about plans to downgrade local hospital services are being urged to express their views to the independent review panel.

The independent panel is in the borough to visit hospitals, meet with doctors, councillors and campaigners as it gathers evidence before making its recommendations to the secretary of state for health in the autumn.

To help residents have their say the council has produced freepost cards which have been delivered to homes and businesses across the borough this week.

Councillors are encouraging residents to fill in and return the cards so that the panel can take account of the views of local people as part of the review process.

The review was prompted after the council’s scrutiny panel unanimously voted to refer controversial NHS plans to downgrade hospitals in the area to the government in March.

The review is expected to be finished by mid-September after which the health secretary will consider its findings before making his decision.

Proposals to shut A&E services at Ealing, Central Middlesex, Charing Cross and Hammersmith hospitals were announced last summer and resulted in widespread opposition by people from across north west London.

Under the current plans the four hospitals affected would no longer accept 'blue light' emergency cases - meaning parts of the borough would be significantly further away from life-saving treatment than they are now.

Campaigners have pledged to be out in force over the summer at community events and in the borough’s high streets to make the public aware of what is proposed and gather support for the campaign.

Council leader Julian Bell said: "I and fellow councillors, from each political group on the council, gave evidence to the panel on Monday 8 July. During this session we set out the council’s grave concerns about how these cuts to local hospital services would be detrimental to the health of local people."

"We explained that not only would vital emergency services be further away making it harder for borough residents to seek treatment they would take away choice from patients."

"Given the growing pressure that A&E and maternity departments are facing it is hard to imagine how the remaining services would cope under the strain if these vital services are taken away."

"I am hopeful that the views of local people will be given the consideration they rightly deserve and that these barmy plans will be rejected."