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More on KentOnline
A High Court judge is set to examine the legality of plans to shut a "vital" NHS stroke unit after a campaign by residents.
Marion Keppel, from Ramsgate, is leading the challenge against the NHS decision to close one of Kent's six stroke units, based at the Queen Elizabeth Queen Mother (QEQM) Hospital in Margate.
Ms Keppel is one of a number of residents left "devastated" following a decision made by a joint committee of Clinical Commissioning Groups (JCCCG) to close the acute stroke unit at the QEQM.
The facility would be replaced by a "hyper acute stroke unit" in Ashford.
The decision led Marion and her supporters to instruct Irwin Mitchell’s Public Law and Human Rights team to investigate the situation.
In May, lawyers applied for a judicial review challenging the legality of the decision.
It has now been confirmed the case will be heard in the High Court in autumn.
'I’m so inspired by Marion who has taken on the enormous task which would benefit thousands of Thanet residents' - Cllr Karen Constantine
Ms Keppel said: "I attend hospital regularly and have no doubt that the closure of the stroke unit in Margate will have a devastating effect on me and many others.
"It is a vital service and having the nearest stroke unit located more than an hour away is simply unacceptable.
"Our case being taken to the High Court is great news and hopefully this will ultimately lead to the decision being reconsidered."
The review has been funded through public donations after the Thanet Stroke Campaign (TSC) group raised more than £5,000 through a crowdfunding bid.
Thanet district councillor Karen Constantine, who sits on the Kent HOSC Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, says she will "continue to fully support" Marion as she takes on the legal fight.
She said: “It’s so daunting for an individual to tackle a huge issue and important like this.
"I’m so proud and inspired by Marion who has taken on the enormous task which would benefit thousands of Thanet residents and show the NHS our community will not be silent when vital services are removed."
Alex Rook, partner at Irwin Mitchell, added: "Marion and fellow campaigners expressed genuine concerns that the decision to close the stroke unit at QEQM hospital had been reached unlawfully and unfairly, without a thorough consultation considering the views of the local residents.
"There are a number of factors regarding this move that have worried Marion, most importantly being the implications it could have on the local community and the health of the people, especially those requiring urgent care having to travel over an hour for treatment.
"We have submitted to the Court on Marion’s behalf that the JCCCG’s did not lawfully consult with local people, nor did they properly understand the implications of this decision when it was taken.
"We welcome the High Court’s decision to hear Marion’s case and will continue to support Marion throughout the process."
