The redevelopment of Dulwich hospital should not involve the sale of any land.
That was the clear message coming from the floor of a recent public meeting held at St Thomas Moore Hall.
The meeting was the latest in a programme of public consultations held since the hospital won a reprieve from closure in 1997.
A community hospital is earmarked for the site on Lordship Lane when current services are transferred to Kings College Hospital on Denmark Hill.
However, the consultation process has come under fire from some local campaign groups who are opposed to any sale of land at the site.
Ken Hoole of the Keep Dulwich Hospital Campaign (KDHC) said: We dont think it is justified that they should be selling that site.
We believe it should be used for a hospital service and not used for anything other than direct medical services.
The architects stated at the meeting they were able to fit the plans into 8,000 square metres. That is only about a third of the site. They havent budged an inch from their original policy.
The consultation process was criticised by Mr Hoole, who claims the groups involvement has been minimal.
One aim of the project is to provide intermediate care beds at the hospital. But other ideas being put forward include a birthing centre, physiotherapy services, complementary therapies and a therapeutic garden.
Mr Hoole claims the brief made available at the meeting included a reference to care for the elderly which was only added after intervention by the KDHC.
Pensioners are expressing concern at minimal references to the elderly medicine contrary to all their expectations, he said.
They have reneged on all their promises to the elderly.
Director of Southwark Community Health Council Malcolm Alexander said: I think land will be sold but the question is what it would provide for the communitys service.
The issue should unite us instead of dividing us. When everyone has got an opinion we are really moving and people feel involved.
Now we will have meetings about individual services and see how they fit together. It is like a jigsaw.
The meeting was also attended by Dulwich and West Norwood MP Tessa Jowell who said: The high turn out means there is a clear indication the development of the project is a high priority in the community.
I intend to make myself a pain in the neck for health ministers because there is a real sense of momentum.
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