Questions have been raised about why a public consultation into the closure of a “completely unique” dementia ward at Tolworth Hospital had not gone ahead.

The Fuchsias ward is run by South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust and cared for severe dementia sufferers.

Its staff were praised by Care Quality Commission inspectors for their approach to patients.

Referrals to the ward stopped in 2008 and the last patient died just before Christmas 2015, after 12 years there.

In 2013, when the ward had six patients, a public consultation into the closure was delayed by Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) leaders. Almost three years later no public consultation has been planned.

Councillor Mary Clark, who campaigned alongside patients’ families to keep the ward open, said: “It makes me so angry.

“This is a unique ward, there is not another one like it in the country.

“The fact they have no patients is irrelevant. All the people who should be in there have been put into care homes where the quality of care is just not as good.

“Most people do not even know this ward exists, but they have a right to have a say if it will be closed.”

The ward cost £1.46m a year to run when six patients were based there.

CCG governing body chairman Dr Naz Jivani promised to respond in writing before the body's next meeting.