Kingston Hospital A+E and maternity "seriously looked at for closure" say MPs

But the revelation has caused a backlash, with political opponents accusing them of exaggerating the threat for their own ends.

Edward Davey, Kingston and Surbiton MP, and Susan Kramer, Richmond Park MP, said that they have been told by senior managers within the NHS that a review of hospitals across South West London has concluded that only three out of of four hospitals should have either a maternity unit or an A+E and Kingston is thought to be high on the list.

The review’s findings were due to be published in December but have been delayed twice, possibly until after May's General Election, prompting the MPs to go public.

Mr Davey said: “When they first told us we were so aghast we thought they were joking.

"After my initial shock, I was extremely angry that anybody should even consider this."

Mrs Kramer said if the hospital lost either or both of the departments it could go the way of nearby Queen Mary’s in Roehampton, becoming downgraded to a community hospital.

She said: "We could see things being locked in place with local people having no opportunity to debate and to challenge.

"Obviously that’s quite convenient if you want to present people with a fait accompli.

"When a hospital doesn’t have an accident and emergency it ceases to be what we look at as a general hospital."

Gavin Marsh, clinical director of Healthcare for South-west London, the body which is carrying out the review, said: "Hospitals and PCTs are looking to improve all healthcare services in south-west London but there are no proposals to close any hospitals in south-west London."

A spokesman declined to rule out any proposals in the future as a result of the review being carried out by 100 clinicians from across South West London.

The Conservatives were sceptical about the information but pledged to fight any closure or downgrading if they get elected.

Helen Whately, Tory parliamentary candidate for Kingston and Surbiton, said: "If there is any threat I would fight to protect the hospital and its A&E and maternity units because they are vital services."

But she said: "If this has been made up for sake of having a big election campaign for the Liberal Democrats the consequences for patients and staff are just terrible."

Zac Goldsmith, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Richmond Park and North Kingston, said: "If there is a threat to Kingston Hospital, local Conservatives will campaign with every ounce of their energy to protect it."

Kingston Hospital’s chairman described the closure of Kingston as "inconceivable".

At a board meeting at Kingston Hospital on Wednesday, Mr Smallwood was asked by Tory councillor David Cunningham to put a vote to board members saying if the proposals came forward they would actively resist them.

But Mr Smallwood said: "I am not prepared to do that, as we are trying to conduct a constructive and realistic dialogue in the process going on which is developing these options and it will damage us if we dig our heels in and effectively withdraw from that dialogue.

"If we go in the wrong direction, as you suggest, there will be general outrage and enormous opposition."

Kate Grimes, chief executive of the hospital, said: "I don't think there is a lot of uncertainty.

"As far as this board is concerned we have got a very clear future."

She added: "Local people have fabulous services here and I think they should carry on using them and speaking well of the organisation and I think that is important too during this period."

Kingston councillors got their chance to quiz NHS chiefs on Wednesday evening.

But chief executive Kate Grimes missed the meeting due to illness, although she did make that morning's hospital board meeting.

Chairman councillor Don Jordan said: "She is suffering from a fairly unpleasant ailment and she needs some time."

David Smith, chief executive of NHS Kingston, declined to comment but pointed to a press release from Healthcare for South West London.

He said: "All I'm going to say is what's in the press release."

Sandra Berry, the former chairman of Kingston LINK patient involvement group, said: "If Kingston Hospital were to lose its A&E services this would be a disaster - not only for residents of Kingston but also of Richmond and other immediate localities.

"The alternative A&E service at St George's Hospital is admirable, but the journey between here and there is usually a nightmare and not something to be contemplated during an emergency."

Victoria Jones, chairman of the 900-strong Kingston branch of the National Childcare Trust, said: "It just seems preposterous they are looking at closing the hospital maternity unit.

"If it was to close it would cause serious problems for our mums."

But Richard Wilson, the Royal College of Nursing representative for Kingston Hospital and a former Labour council candidate, said the speculation would harm recruitment.

He said: "The Lib Dems are using this as an election gimmick.

"It starts getting people asking questions about their future.

"Are they going to be moved and what is closing down?"

Midwife Nora Pearce, UNISON representative at Kingston Hospital, said she couldn’t believe Kingston’s maternity unity could be shut.

She said: "I’m a little bit cross because what is this doing to our bit to recruit midwives?"