Carshalton and Wallington MP Tom Brake has said urgent meetings are required to ensure the survival of St Helier Hospital, after the announcement St George’s and St Helier will no longer merge.

St George’s Hospital announced yesterday it had pulled out its plan to merge with St Helier Hospital.

Concerns have heightened that the uncertain future now for the hospital could place health services at St Helier under threat.

Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington said: “Clearly this is very disappointing news.

“We must now focus urgently on alternatives which could involve close cooperation between the Trust and GPs, Sutton Council and other organisations involved in Social Care to ensure the survival of our local hospital and critical services such as maternity and Accident and Emergency.”

Mr Brake is seeking an urgent meeting with the key players to discuss cooperation with other medical, community and voluntary sector partners.

Geoff Martin, a Sutton resident and chairman of pressure group, London Health Emergency, said: "The main hospital in the backyard of ConDem Health Minister Pail Burstow stands on the brink of total ruin as a last-ditch rescue merger has been scuppered days before it was due to be finalised.

"There is no doubt in my mind that this is due to the sheer extent of the financial chaos at both St George’s and St Helier and the uncertainty of the hospital closure programme across South West London.

"Thousands of staff jobs are now on the line, a long-promised new hospital looks doomed and services to Burstow’s constituents face the axe.

"This is a shocking indictment on the management of health services in London and on the health policies of Paul Burstow and his Government and, along with the unions, we will be mobilising a public defence of our local hospital."