QUEEN Mary's Hospital at Sidcup is likely to be the big loser under the proposed reorganisation of health services, a public meeting heard.

Bexley's NHS chiefs were quizzed by more than 50 members of the public at a meeting organised by the Derek Conway, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup.

Mr Conway said he had heard repeated rumours that the Government was planning to sell off the site for housing.

The local health managers said they were not aware of any plans to close the site but that it was likely to be downgraded in favour of two specialist hospitals on two or three of the private finance initiative (PFI) hospital buildings in outer south east London.

Roger Smith, medical director at the hospital, said: "We all think it is probable that Queen Mary's will lose out and that is because of the PFIs."

While Queen Mary's has turned its finances around its buildings are not as modern as those in Orpington, Woolwich or Lewisham, which are in greater debt due to their PFI deals.

Dr Smith said: "We have serious doubts that we will ever plug the financial hole."

He explained the medical justification for concentrating expert services such as trauma and maternity on fewer, bigger sites.

Dr Smith said: "You may have to travel a bit further for your care but you may go the few extra miles in the knowledge that you're more likely to leave on your own two feet than in a coffin."

Roy Uncles, 74, who lives in Bexley, said: "What is the real motivation behind this? Is it medical or is it fiscal? Or is it a truncation of Queen Mary's because it's the only non PFI hospital and so can be slaughtered."

Jessica Brittin-Wood, deputy chief executive of Bexley Care Trust, replied: "Maybe cynicism is understandable but the whole drive is about improving patient care."

James Tulliver, a member of the trust's patient and public involvement group, urged the head of Queen Mary's to resist any attempts to shut it down.

He said: "You've made tremendous efforts to turn the hospital around. Please dig in your heels."

The hospital's chief executive Kate Grimes said: "We will be digging in our heels to make sure that we retain services on Queen Mary's site."

Yvonne Dyer, a leading nurse at the hospital and London council member of the Royal College of Nursing, told the meeting on Monday night that Queen Mary's had some of the lowest hospital superbug infection rates in the region because of the combined efforts of all members of staff.

She said: "We love our patients. It's small but we are perfectly formed."

The meeting was held at the Freemantle Hall, Bexley, on Monday evening.

The public is due to be consulted before any changes are made to the region's hospitals.

What do you think of the NHS plans to change services? Write to Bexley Extra, River House, Maidstone Road, Foots Cray, Sidcup, Kent DA14 5RH or e-mail bexleyextra@thekmgroup.co.uk

MPs: don't do it just to save cash

MPs have urged the Government not to cut services simply to save money.

David Evennett, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford, told a debate in the House of Commons that many people were worried about the future of services at Queen Mary's Hospital.

He said: "There is a real fear about the possible closure of the accident and emergency and maternity units. There is also concern about downgrading of services across the board in that excellent hospital."

Mr Evennett added: "The real concern is that if we cut back or downgrade the services at Queen Mary's and if there are accident and emergency units only at the other three hospitals, or perhaps two...the extra time taken to get people to those units could prove disastrous."

John Austin, MP for Erith and Thamesmead, said: "I want an assurance from the minister that we will not be reduced to only two hospitals serving our area, that there will continue to be four hospitals and that the decisions will be about what services are provided at which hospital, and which services might be more effectively provided in the community."

He said: "Queen Mary's has been financially challenged, but there has been a turnaround both financially and in quality of care. The Bexley Care Trust is, however, more financially challenged, and some of us fear that some of its proposals have been financially driven rather than patient-driven. Maternity services offer an example of that."

Mr Austin said the trust had failed to take into account patients from Bromley and Eltham in its birth figures.

"There are more than 3,000 births this year," he said, "and there is no reason to close the maternity unit."

Replying to the debate, the parliamentary under-secretary of state for health, Ann Keen, said: "I am assured that Queen Mary's Sidcup will not close."

Political movement

A NEW political party has been formed to fight to keep the hospital's A&E department running.

Independents to save Queen Mary's Hospital, based in Chislehurst, is hoping to field several candidates at the next council and general elections.

John Hemming-Clark, prospective candidate for Bromley and Chislehurst, said: "We are all entitled to proper medical care within reasonable reach."

He said: "Fore those whose nearest hospital is Queen Mary's and maybe also another local hospital, they will be at increased risk in an emergency if the A&E closes."

For more information about the party visit www.faect.org.uk or call 07968 525692.