NO guarantees have been given by health bosses that Marlow Community Hospital will reopen, MP Paul Goodman says.

Mr Goodman met NHS Buckinghamshire chief executive Ed Macalister-Smith this week following the service's closure to overnight patients because of a dysfunctional bedpan washer.

The hospital, which looks after terminally ill patients and provides respite care, and has been accepting no new overnight patients since November 25 in order to keep potentially dangerous infections at bay at the Glade Road hospital.

An investigation found an “old and leaking pipe” that was causing low water pressure.

NHSB has since been waiting for an engineer's report but still has not received it.

Mr Goodman moved to allay fears that the hospital could be closed 'by stealth', saying bosses would have to carry out a public consultation although he said he had not been assured about its future.

Mr Goodman, whose campaigning on health issues has been a cornerstone of his time as MP, said he had been “keeping a close eye” on the situation but has “not been given a guarantee” on its future.

He said: “Marlow Cottage Hospital is an invaluable resource.

"Although it has only a few beds it's widely seen in the Marlow area as a part of our local NHS landscape.

"It goes without saying I'm a strong supporter of our hospitals, I want to see it reopened as soon as possible.

"I made this view crystal clear to NHSB when it met Buckinghamshire MPs earlier this week.

“As Bucks MPs in the special commons debate this week our local NHS is under severe pressure, we receive 16 per cent less than the average NHS spend in England – and our local health service has to run in order even just to stay in the same space.

“This lack of fair funding is a dagger that is deeply wounding our local health service.”

Plaques detailing public subscription to set up the hospital more than 70 years ago and other items have been removed from the building, according to Mike Gilbert, chairman of Marlow Bottom action group Valley Plus.

He said he is puzzled about what is happening.

“I'm very concerned that they have effectively close the cottage hospital at Marlow, that they haven't given any clear idea of what will happen to any of the hospitals, whether they will continue to open,” he said.

He added: “If they remove these where will older people go?”

Chief Executive Ed Macalister-Smith said the decision to close was taken following a recommendation to the trust’s Board by the Director for Infection Prevention and Control for Community Health Buckinghamshire.

He said: “The reason for the temporary closure is a fall in water pressure caused by old and leaking pipes which has meant essential pieces of sterilising equipment cannot function properly.

“We are waiting to receive the findings of an engineer’s report which will tell us more about the problem and what needs to be done to make it fit for purpose.

“When we get the report we will share the findings and our plans with the public, our staff, GPs and the League of Friends.

“Those patients who were staying in inpatient facilities have been moved to appropriate alternatives.

“It is important to remind the public that this is just a temporary closure of one part of the hospital - all the other services and clinics at the hospital are continuing as normal.”