HOSPITAL chiefs have given the go-ahead for a consultation on a multi-million pound merger of three major NHS trusts in south east London.

But the decision not to ask public and patients for their opinion on the proposals has drawn criticism.

Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust is set to merge with Woolwich’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust and Queen Mary’s Sidcup NHS Trust in April next year.

Bromley's trust chief executive Mike Marchment says the move is the only option left open to the struggling organisation.

He said: “The trusts need to be able to respond to challenges now and in the future.

“We have a financial deficit in the order of £100million which the organisation can never realistically pay back.

“The hospital can’t put up a plan that deals with our historic debt - we can’t do the impossible.

He added: “Standing alone would be a disservice to the local population and the borough.”

While agreeing there was a need for change at the meeting on November 4, other board members questioned how the trusts would be able to realistically merge in time for April 1

There was also concern the 12-week consultation involving MPs, councils and staff will not formally include members of the public.

Tricia Choppin, a representative from patients group LINk, said: “A good place to begin more general involvement, openness, transparency and collaboration would be to show some regard and respect for your only genuine stakeholder - the taxpayer, the people who pay all your wages.”

Non-executive director Rakesh Sangani added that the new trust’s stated ambitions for foundation status as part of the merger may not be realised.

Mr Marchment responded by stating the proposed trust would be turning over £400million-a-year and would be “well capable” of making foundation trust status. It would mean the trust making decisions and providing care services with greater freedom from the Government.

He added: “There is but one game in town - become a foundation trust or get taken over by one.”

The board are set to make a final decision on the merger in February.