BEXLEY could be losing its accident and emergency department if proposals to reshape hospital services get the go-ahead.

The spotlight has fallen on Queen Mary’s Hospital in Sidcup as one of four hospitals in southeast London that could be downgraded in a move to create two specialist super hospitals for the region, serving about one million people across Bexley, Bromley, Greenwich and Lewisham.

The recommendation to halve the number of acute trauma centres – in return for greater specialist skills at two of the four current main hospitals – comes from leading medics rather than financial advisors.

NHS London argues that it would improve patients’ chances of survival as well as help solve the current financial black hole that the system of four general district hospitals has created in the area.

But local MPs disagree and say Sidcup should retain its current health facilities for the benefit of the borough.

The other three hospitals affected by the recommendations are the Princess Royal University, Orpington; Queen Elizabeth, Woolwich; and Lewisham Hospital.