A new law which could see Croydon University Hospital downgraded with minimal public consultation has been branded as ‘simply unacceptable’.

The Government is facing political pressure over Clause 118 of the Care Bill, which is currently going through Parliament.

The clause states a trust special administrator (TSA) called in to a trust in financial difficulties would be able to take action ‘in relation to another NHS trust, which is necessary for and consequential on action taken in relation to that NHS trust’.

Campaigners argue this would give them the power to close hospitals near a hospital trust in financial difficulties - as was the case last year with Lewisham Hospital, in south-east London.

The clause provides clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) with just 40 days to consult on any changes proposed by a trust administrator.

It also says the views of a CCG could be overruled by NHS England, resulting in local decision-makers potentially having no real power over key reconfigurations of their hospital services.

Croydon North MP Steve Reed said: “The clause is outrageous because the government say that in reordering the NHS they want to listen to local people and local GPs and this drives a bulldozer straight through that.

“The risk we run is what they want to do to local hospitals in our area to fund failures elsewhere in the system.

“It’s simply unacceptable.”

But Croydon South MP Richard Ottaway says he believes the amendment will result in better healthcare services for people in Croydon.

Mr Ottaway said: “Croydon NHS doesn’t work in isolation, so its problems can’t be viewed that way.

“Hypothetically, if a TSA was called in to investigate a specific problem at Croydon, they would see that problem in the context of the wider healthcare landscape and would be able to make recommendations not just about Croydon, but also about neighbouring Trusts or even more widely.

“What is important to remember is that TSAs would be accountable to the Secretary of State and required to consult the public and those who commission services from other local trusts.

“I support Clause 118 because it means smarter problem-solving in the NHS, prompt action to remedy serious financial or care issues, and, ultimately, better healthcare services for people in Croydon and right across the country.”

And Mark Justice, who heads the independent health group Healthwatch Croydon, says Clause 118 is not as big an issue for Croydon as the financial situation for the borough’s healthcare providers.

Both the clinical commissioning group and Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, which runs Croydon University Hospital and Purley War Memorial Hospital, are running a deficit.

Are you worried by Clause 118? Email Robert Fisk on rfisk@london.newsquest.co.uk