Continuing uncertainty over the future of Orpington Hospital is unsettling for both NHS staff and for those residents who rely on healthcare services provided from the existing site. Significant changes to the existing services delivered from the Orpington site must have public support and that's why I held an urgent meeting on Friday with Dr Chris Streather, the chief executive of SLHT.

I have again reiterated that there should be no net loss of locally-delivered services in Orpington and that residents and GPs should have the chance to participate in a full and open public consultation over all proposals for significant changes to the provision of the healthcare currently provided on the Orpington site.