The controversial decision to close rehabilitation wards at Wanstead Hospital will go ahead as planned after Redbridge council performed an unpopular u-turn last night.

It was announced at the Health Scrutiny committee at Redbridge town hall yesterday (July 7) that there was insufficient evidence to refer the decision to shut Heronwood and Galleon wards, in Makepeace Road, to the health secretary.

This decision comes despite the committee deciding in January this year to refer the decision to Jeremy Hunt for an independent review of the plan.

A letter to Jeremy Hunt was returned asking for more evidence that closing the wards would be detrimental for residents, but the council has decided it will not pursue the issue any further.

The Redbridge Clinical Commissioning Group will now centralise rehab services at King George Hospital in Goodmayes, which is in special measures, in September.

A long-running campaign against the closure was led by Wanstead MP, John Cryer, Healthwatch Redbridge and residents’ associations in Wanstead.

They criticised the consultation process and a decision to reduce the number of rehabilitation beds across Redbridge, Havering, and Barking and Dagenham from 104 to between 40 and 61.   

The CCG said 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.

At the committee meeting last night, representatives from residents’ associations in Wanstead slammed the council u-turn.

Geoff Horsnell, of the Wanstead Society, said: “How the committee can say the situation is fine and does not require a referral is both inconceivable and, quite frankly, beyond me.

“We have not been told how the move will work so any thoughts of closing the wards, and not referring the matter to the Secretary of State are, quite simply, wishful thinking.”

Helen Zammett, of the Wanstead and Snaresbrook Residents’ Association, said: “If Wanstead Hospital closes not only will it lessen the chances of people who cannot manage at home alone when discharged from hospital, but it will cause bed blocking at local hospitals.

“Lack of beds is a key factor in all our local hospitals being in special measures.

“NHS England has given the commitment that the new provision will match the standard of Wanstead Hospital, this will not be easy to do at King George.”

But Labour councillor John Howard, chair of the committee, said he was “satisfied that the level of evidence in favour of this move is good enough.”

Cllr Mark Santos, also of Labour, was adamant the u-turn was the right decision.

He said: “Our motivation is getting the best for residents and we have discussed this situation on multiple occasions.

“We have been robust in seeking assurances and will continue conversations with the CCG and monitor the changes when they happen to see if the quality of care is being maintained.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series: Plans are afoot to close the Heronwood and Galleon Unit in Makepeace Road, Wanstead

The wards will now close as planned in September.