Charing Cross hospital, in Hammersmith, West London is facing closure as its trust faces mounting debts.
Chief executive of Hammersmith Hospital NHS Trust revealed closure proposals to consultants last Monday which showed that services at the hospital would move three miles north to Hammersmith hospital and the site would be sold to a developer.
Smith – who showed architect’s plans for the new developments at Hammersmith – is reported to have said he would keep the proposal under his hat “until after the general election” because of its politically sensitive nature.
He also told consultants that a sale would help to stabilise the trust’s finances. NHS managers believe it may be more effective to concentrate investment on one site.
A Hammersmith Trust spokesman said: “Among many other issues affecting the trust, Derek Smith explained to a group of staff that we have been looking at the capital investment programme for the next 10 years and expect to have to spend up to £400m on renewing our estate, at least £100m of that at Charing Cross.
“We are looking at options at the moment but as yet have no plans and are unlikely to have for some time.”
Charing Cross hospital is one of the leading hospitals for cancer care and neurological disorders.
References: The Sunday Times 10/04/05 page 13
