The Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt, insists that there are no plans to close Bart’s. She says: “The Government is looking closely at the proposals for a major expansion of cardiac and cancer services as part of a £1.2 billion PFI project. Given the scale of the proposals, the large sums of taxpayers’ cash involved and the significant reductions in waiting lists in recent years, it would be reckless to go ahead without proper scrutiny. I have commissioned an urgent review to ensure that the NHS in East London has the right hospital capacity to meet patients’ needs and get value for money.”

The Department of Health denies that moving cardiac and cancer units away from Bart’s would compromise both the medical school and the trauma unit at The Royal London. A spokesman says: “That is a hypothetical scenario. We are not at that stage. We have made it clear that we are committed to improving health care services in that part of London to meet patient needs. It is right and proper that we have a close look at the PFI scheme. The actions we are taking, and the work we have asked the local NHS to carry out, will in no way compromise health care services.

“The Department asked the Trust to reconsider its plans to ensure that the Bart’s and Royal London scheme is both affordable and meets local needs. We have also asked the local NHS to commission an independent review looking again at the proposed redevelopment of the Bart’s site in the context of existing cancer and cardiac services capacity in London.

“The review does not call into question the whole scheme. We are not questioning the need for the investment on the Whitechapel site. It is about ensuring that new hospital facilities represent value for money and deliver services needed by local patients.”