Mitchams cottage hospital could re-open if plans supported by MP Siobhain McDonagh get the go-ahead.

The Mitcham and Morden member has launched a campaign to oust the Merton, Sutton and Wandsworth Health Authority from its offices in the former Wilson Hospital.

She wants the authority to find new offices so that elderly and infirm residents in the area can once again be treated there.

Speaking exclusively to the Guardian, Ms Mcdonagh said: As someone who was born and raised around here, I know of the affection people had for the Wilson in its heyday.

Knowing the area as I do, I think the Health Authority could easily find new premises. Mitcham people need beds

and clinical services, not office politics.

Ms McDonagh has written to health chiefs and plans to tackle health ministers on this issue, both in Parliament and in their Whitehall offices.

Im a firm believer in people power, and I think people power can bring back a cottage hospital to Mitcham, she said.

She told the House of Commons she supported the Governments reforms of the NHS, which will shake up health authorities and make the health service more patient-focused than ever before.

She said: I would like the Wilson, which was once a very fine cottage hospital serving the community in Mitcham, to re-open. Equidistant between St Helier and St Georges hospitals, the Wilson could ease the pressure on the acute beds shortage in both.

Health Authority director of policy and performance management Brendan Ward said the Wilson was one of the options being considered as part of a reorganisation which will create two new primary care trusts.

Discussions have focused on ensuring that any newly proposed services are accessible, make the best use of public money and are supported by the clinicians and the public.

Currently, the Wilson is the home for a health community clinic in addition to the recently introduced health and social services community mental health team.

Discussions continue in relation to the appropriate use of the Wilson.

Site decisions will be known in the new year.