Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley is visiting Queen’s Hospital this afternoon to tour its accident and emergency and maternity facilities.

Last week, both wards at the hospital in Romford were said to be delivering “poor care” to patients.

That was the verdict of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), whose inspectors visited the facilities during a series of inspections in September.

Mr Lansley is due to meet with Averil Dongworth, chief executive of Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, during today’s visit.

In October, Mr Lansley gave the green light to the trust to close the A&E and labour ward and King George Hospital, Barley Lane, Goodmayes.

But the trust must improve in more than 70 areas, identified by the CQC, before it can press ahead with the service closures.

Earlier today, Mr Lansley was greeted by protesters as he made his way to Downing Street for a meeting on controversial NHS reforms.

The Recorder is at Queen’s Hospital for today’s visit and will be putting a number of questions to Mr Lansley.