Health bosses say they will re-assess their options about the future of outpatient services at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital once their consultation has ended.

Hundreds of campaigners once again packed the Kings Hall for a second public meeting to hear the East Kent NHS Trust’s plans for a new “one-stop shop” at Estuary View Medical Centre in Whitstable.

Campaigners expressed their concerns about car parking, public transport, future population growth in Herne Bay, and about whether Estuary View could cope with a larger number of patients.

Cllr Joe Howes (Con) told the gathering that he had met with health bosses before the consultation. He said: “It was clear that the decision had already taken place about Estuary View. But nobody had any idea about public transport.

“Your plans mean I would have to get a bus through one of the busiest towns in the district. In that meeting I thought that you have just decided, you have not considered public transport.”

Trust director Marion Clayton said that they would listen to people’s views. She told the meeting: “We have taken the information on board and we will be reassessing.

“We are going to reevaluate the options appraisal, taking on board some of the information we have had and putting right some of the inaccuracies. We are going to use the information so we get it right.”

The trust chief executive Stuart Bain denied promoting any particular site, but said: “We are evaluating all the options among the existing options, including Estuary View. There are a number of criteria on that evaluation, and we believe Estuary View scores highest.

“We will reflect on it and the board will need to reconsider it.”

But Andrew Lloyd, whose wife Chris uses the Queen Vic hospital for her rheumatoid arthritis treatment, doubted that the trust will reconsider its plans. He said: “You are promoting Estuary View far more than other sites.”

Meanwhile, Heron ward Cllr Andrew Cook (Con) asked Mr Bain if the criteria for the decision will be made a matter of public record.

Mr Bain replied: “When it goes to the board, those papers will be made available to the public.”

The consultation will end on Monday and will be analysed by experts at the University of Kent at a price of £15,000.

A preliminary decision about the future of outpatient services is expected in May, with a full announcement to follow later in June.