'Frustration' as closed hospital could be sold

Complaints have been raised after the NHS began a process which could see a closed West Sussex hospital put up for sale.

Rustington Parish Council said it was frustrated, disappointed and concerned about the potential loss of the Zachary Merton Hospital, which it called a "vital service".

The Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust announced in November 2023 the facility would close temporarily after it found water leaks, damaged ceilings and issues with the heating system.

It has said the bill for making the building "safe and appropriate" is around £8m - more than its entire budget for estate improvements.

The trust added it would need to divert money away from patient services to fix the site as there was no extra national capital funding available.

Rustington Parish Council said the facility had freed up space in local hospitals and provided capacity for follow-on care and rehabilitation.

It claimed the trust had committed to getting all stakeholders together in one room, conducting a survey to assess local needs and holding a public engagement meeting.

"Unfortunately, none of these three points have come to fruition," wrote Andy Cooper, Rustington Parish Council chairman.

"There is a fundamental need here for the Zachary Merton site to be reborn into something new and wonderful for the community."

The trust said it was engaging with other public sector organisations, including local health and care organisations, to see if they could use the site.

"To date, no expressions of interest have been received," it said.

The site will be put up for sale on the open market if there are no expressions of interest, the trust added.

• Hospital still shut a year after temporary closure

The trust said that in the 18 months since the hospital had shut it had cared for 6% more local patients - compared with the 18 months before the closure.

Just under 80% of those patients received rehabilitation and care in their own homes.

"Receiving care in the comfort of your own home can support better physical health, improved wellbeing and overall recovery rate," said Dr Karen Eastman, chief medical officer.

Patients requiring inpatient rehabilitation have been supported at sites in Bognor Regis and Worthing.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook,X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.