Vince Cable

London hospitals have received very bad reviews from the Healthcare Commission with 19 of the 27 worst performing hospitals out of 148 in England, with serious criticisms of standards of scanning, discharge time and post-natal visits.

Kingston and Hammersmith were in the bottom group though the West Middlesex was one of 8 better performing hospitals - albeit "fair" rather than "good".

Vincent Cable MP said: "Residents in this part of London do not get a good deal. It is difficult to get a maternity place and, then, standards are below the national average. The main problem is recruiting midwives in a part of the capital where health workers cannot afford housing.

"It is some consolation for residents that the West Middlesex, which often gets a bad press, is ranked not just above Kingston but even such prestigious hospitals as Barts and Chelsea and Westminster."