New expensive operating equipment has been left in its packaging almost two years after a hospital opened.

The X-ray machine at Eltham Community Hospital still has not been used after the premises first opened in September 2015.

A 20-bed respite ward has been sitting empty and an operating theatre has not had a single patient pass through its doors.

Eltham MP Clive Efford said the reason the equipment has gone unused is because the ward had been shut down.

He said: “I campaigned to bring the hospital to Eltham and I’m appalled at the damage Government cuts are causing to our health services.

“This means that older people have been stuck in acute hospitals waiting to go home because of the chronic shortage of respite beds.

“I have met recently with Jo Murfitt the Chief Officer of Greenwich CCG, our local health commissioners.

“I stressed to her that this ward should never have been closed because the cost of the delayed discharge of patients would far outweigh any supposed savings.”

At a recent meeting of Greenwich Council, Conservative councillor Spencer Drury brought forward concerns from locals that they were worried about the lack of parking in town centre when the hospital is opened.

However as Councillor Danny Thorpe pointed out in his response, the patients weren’t exactly flocking to the hospital right now.

Cllr Thorpe said: “When an X-ray machine goes unused for nearly two years and an operating theatre has been built but never used, I am sure we would all agree that these are questions to be answered.

“Recent monitoring shows that, on a daily basis, there is now ample available parking in local streets to meet the demands of the Community Hospital.

“So when the outpatients finally do arrive there will be plenty of space for them.”

Mr Efford meanwhile has been trying to find solutions to the local hospital not using any of its equipment, and says the ward may finally be back in use.

He said: “I am delighted that following my meeting the ward and the X-Ray machine will soon be back in use and run by Greenwich and Lewisham NHS Trust.

“I am delighted that a sensible solution has been found that will deliver real benefits to local people.”

Eltham Community Hospital has been contacted for comment.