Havering’s Queen’s Hospital experienced its busiest day ever just ahead of Christmas, with over 1000 patients attending A&E. The intense pressure facing the critical facility has led Hornchurch & Upminster’s MP, Julia Lopez, to once again write to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, to press for an urgent update on funding to expand and redevelop the Accident and Emergency department at Queen’s Hospital in Romford.
In her letter, Mrs Lopez highlighted the severe and sustained pressure on Queen’s Hospital A&E, which serves residents from across the Hornchurch & Upminster constituency and wider area.
She again highlighted that the department is regularly operating far beyond its intended capacity, with patients frequently facing long waits and treatment taking place in corridors rather than appropriate clinical settings.
Mrs Lopez referenced recent reports from constituents describing extreme waiting times and conditions, alongside media coverage detailing the strain placed on staff and facilities. She warned that pressures have intensified over the winter period, compounding challenges for both patients and frontline NHS workers.
The letter sets out the case for Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust’s proposal to secure £35 million to transform and expand the A&E department. The plans would see services relocated into space previously occupied by renal services, now moved to the new St George’s Health and Wellbeing Centre. Mrs Lopez stressed that this is not a discretionary upgrade but an urgent necessity to ensure safe and dignified care for patients.
The proposed redevelopment has the backing of local residents and MPs across North East London, reflecting the shared reliance on Queen’s Hospital for emergency and urgent care.
Mrs Lopez has asked the Department of Health and Social Care to provide a clear update on the status of the funding request and the next steps being considered.
Commenting on her letter, Julia said:
“Queen’s Hospital A&E is under immense and sustained pressure, and that is having a real impact on patients and staff alike. An expanded and modernised A&E facility is urgently needed to ensure people receive timely, safe and dignified care. I am pressing the Government for clarity on this funding request because local families need to know that this issue is being treated with the seriousness it deserves.”
