The Leader of Merton Council has joined Leaders from six other local authorities in writing to the new Health Secretary, Wes Streeting MP, asking him to review the decision to close children’s cancer treatment services at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, and move them to the Evelina Hospital in Waterloo.

The letter, which demonstrates an unprecedented coming together of councils from across the political spectrum, notifies the Secretary of State of each council’s intention to submit formal referrals for his department to call in the decision make by NHS England on 14 March.

Writing jointly alongside the leaderships of Wandsworth, Kingston, Richmond, Surrey, Sutton and Croydon, Merton Council Leader Ross Garrod said:

“The communities we represent have overwhelmingly told us of their concern at the decision to move Children’s Cancer Services away from St George’s Hospital. It is the position of my administration that these local services must remain where they are for the benefit of families in Merton and across Southwest London and Surrey.

“St George’s Hospital has 25 years of experience delivering cancer care to children, including complex surgery, and this experience must be protected where it already exists. We believe the safest and most cost-effective option is for services to continue at St George’s Hospital, not to move to the Evelina.”

This most recent letter follows letters from the seven Councils to former Health Secretary in January and March of this year, and a letter to NHS England expressing concerns regarding the choice to move services away from St George’s Hospital and the impact this decision would have on local communities.