Government considering decision to permanently close community hospital

The government is actively considering whether to intervene in the decision to permanently close services at a community hospital.

Bognor Regis and Littlehampton MP Alison Griffiths has confirmed that the long-running campaign to save Zachary Merton Hospital in Rustington has reached Westminster, following pressure on ministers and direct appeals to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

The closure, which was originally described as temporary, was made permanent last year, drawing strong criticism from residents and representatives.

The hospital has been earmarked for permanent closure since last year (Image: Eddie Mitchell)

Ms Griffiths has now secured a public meeting on the issue which will be held on May 21, and will be attended by Councillor Andy Cooper, Chairman of Rustington Parish Council, and Siobhan Melia, Chief Executive of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust.

She described the progress as “a big step forward”.

Ms Griffiths added: “I have heard from so many of you about what this means in real terms, from longer journeys to more pressure on families.

“I have been raising this again and again in parliament, pressing ministers directly, writing to the Secretary of State to call this decision in, and tabling a series of written parliamentary questions.

“We have moved this onto the government’s desk, but we are not done yet.”

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Services at Zachary Merton were initially suspended in November 2023 due to safety concerns, including leaks, ceiling damage, and heating failures.

In July last year, Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust confirmed the closure would be permanent, citing an independent survey that identified about £8 million in required repairs.

The trust said funding was not available to restore the hospital to a safe standard, but critics say the NHS has not been transparent about the data used to justify the shutdown.

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