AN MP has been accused of inciting panic with his bid to save key services at Croydon University Hospital.
Croydon North's Labour MP Steve Reed failed to mention when launching the campaign on his website that axing the trust's A&E and maternity units is the least preferred of three options put forward by a controversial health review.
Gavin Barwell, Conservative MP for Croydon Central, has refused to back the campaign and accused his rival of failing to give residents the "full picture".
Mr Reed's website also says the decision to delay public consultation was taken "amid fears that Croydon could become a higher priority for closure", a claim clinicians leading the Better Services, Better Value (BSBV) review deny.
Mr Barwell said: "I agree that it would be a mistake for us to say that, because we're the least preferred option, we don't need to worry.
"But I think it's very important we point out to people that it is the third option, so we don't create panic."
While BSBV included the potential for closing key departments at the London Road hospital, the more likely outcome was a £75 million revamp of its A&E and maternity departments.
BSBV, supported by Croydon Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), believes it would be unable to pay for the recommended number of senior consultants at the five hospital sites included in the review, nor meet London Quality Standards.
"Therefore if the option Steve is supporting is no change that leaves us with our current scenario, which isn't good enough," said Mr Barwell.
"What I said to him is that if he wants to campaign to say that Croydon University Hospital should keep its maternity and A&E departments then I agree and we can work together.
"But if he is opposed to any changes across south west London which would deliver the improvements we need then I can't support him because I want Croydon to do a better job."
Mr Reed, who issued a press release saying services needed to be "saved", said he wanted to "make some noise" to ensure Croydon does not lose out.
"Our hospital is listed as one of three options but the public here aren't really aware it was even a possibility," he added.
"I want to make sure the Government knows we do not want to lose these health services. It's important they don't see Croydon as an easy option for closure."
Asked whether it was misleading that his website does not mention that Croydon is the least-preferred option, Mr Reed said: "No I don't. Nowhere does it say that [the article] includes absolutely every detail.
"The key thing is it's one of three options and now they are reviewing it and it could go up in preference."
The proposals had been due to go out to public consultation in June but are being rethought amid concerns about financial viability, with an update imminent.
But Mr Reed said clinicians had told him in confidence they fear the review delay will make services at the town's hospital more likely to face the axe.
A spokesman for BSBV said none of its members had raised such concerns.
The plans as they stood would be likely to have seen key services closed at Epsom and St Helier hospitals, though that option has also met with opposition.
