Work to bring Zachary Merton Hospital up to scratch will cost £8m, councillors have been told.
The hospital, in Rustington, closed temporarily in November 2023, after water leaks were found, along with damaged ceilings and issues with the heating system.
The situation was discussed during a West Sussex County Council scrutiny committee meeting on Wednesday (January 8).
Chairman Garry Wall and others recently met with the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital.
They were told that the Trust had only £5million of capital funding available to support its entire estate per year.
A letter from CEO Siobhan Melia said the Trust was working with NHS Sussex to find out if any money from NHS England would be available to carry out repairs at Zachary Merton in 2025/26.
The news did not sit well with many on the committee.
Andy McGregor (Con, Lancing) said he was ‘horrified’ by the letter, adding: “It’s as if they didn’t know there was a problem with the condition of their hospital and it’s taken them by surprise.
“Eight million pounds – you’d think they would have noticed. And what it makes me question is whether or not other hospitals or other facilities are sitting there with other works required that they know nothing about.”
James Walsh (Lib Dem, Littlehampton East) had previously accused the Trust of ‘hiding behind a cloak of confidentiality’, predicting that the hospital would close for good.
His opinion did not change after the meeting with the Trust. In fact he said he was even more concerned and felt they were ‘preparing the ground to say they won’t be able to afford [the repairs] and therefore they will end up closing Zachary Merton’.
Placing the blame firmly on the Trust for its ‘failure to carry out the necessary repairs when they first became obvious’, he urged the committee to continue with its pressure to see the situation sorted.
He warned that, should the hospital close permanently, there would be no community hospital beds in the whole of east Arun, impacting people from Littlehampton to Worthing.
Siobhan Melia said that since the closure of the hospital, ‘safe and quality care for our patients remain our priority’, with people being cared for in other hospitals, in community care, and within their own homes.
She added that the Trust hoped to receive more information about possible funding within the next couple of months.
Play Area Refurbishment In Chichester Moves A Step Forward
Captivating Water Projection And Light Show To Be Held At Arundel Lido
Wastewater Treatment Work In Sussex To Benefit From Multi-Million Pound Investment
Brighton Main Line Passengers Asked To Plan Ahead This Sunday
RSPCA Finds New Homes For Giant Spiders Thrown Out In The Cold
Eastbourne Shoplifter Given Criminal Behaviour Order
Rise In Drink And Drug Drivers Arrested In Christmas Campaign
Appeal After Collision In St Leonards
Chichester Death: Man Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter
Developer Submits Fresh Plans For Hastings Bungalow Build
Comments
Add a comment