A decision to controversially close rehabilitation wards in Wanstead should be referred to the health secretary, according to opponents pushing for an independent review.

Redbridge council and MP for Leyton and Wanstead, John Cryer, are set to call on Jeremy Hunt to reassess the planned closure of Heronwood and Galleon wards, in Makepeace Road.

On December 11, Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group announced its decision to close the wards and centralise beds at King George hospital in Goodmayes, despite a campaign to save them.

Healthwatch Redbridge and the Wanstead and Snaresbrook Residents’ Association criticised the move to reduce of rehabilitation beds across Redbridge, Havering, and Barking and Dagenham from 104 to between 40 and 61.

But the CCG said that a new community treatment team, which will care for patients at home between the hours of 8am and 10pm, seven days a week, will provide better and more appropriate care.

Mr Cryer said: “These proposals are wrong-headed and the consultation process was deeply flawed.

“I’ve been overwhelmed with feedback from members of the public who want to see the much-loved service at Heronwood and Galleon kept open.

“I’m glad that residents have been listened to by our councillors and I will fighting their corner in Parliament.”

Labour Cllr Mark Santos, chair of health scrutiny at Redbridge council, will make a formal call to refer the decision to Jeremy Hunt when the group meet at the town hall in Ilford next Monday evening.

He said: "Although we’re in no doubt about the benefit of the new community-based service, there remains sufficient concern about the consultation process, assumptions around bed provision and the impact of the proposed changes on carers that could arise with the closure of Heronwood and Galleon wards.

“Given the level of public concern, we believe the best course of action is for the Health Secretary to refer the matter to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel.”