A CENTRE providing specialist care for the elderly at Whipps Cross University Hospital may be closed down to save money, it is feared.

The Connaught Day Hospital, which is based on the Leytonstone site, provides rehabilitation and outpatient care for pensioners, such as physiotherapy for those injured in falls.

But concerns have been raised over its future after the hospital trust said it was carrying out a review of services at the unit, with a decision due to be made next month.

The trust has not denied reports that the centre could close.

Patient Ena Abrahams, 87, of Morgan Avenue in Walthamstow, receives treatment there every fortnight.

She said: "We hear all this about protecting the elderly from cuts but this would be a downright and vicious attack on us.

"It's a haven for so many people - where are we going to go if it closes?

"It's got everything you need. You can see a doctor, get a blood test, get regular treatment and so on.

"From my own personal experience elderly people are treated very well at Whipps Cross, and this is an important part of that.

"It operates as a ward so to close it is tantamount to shutting a ward down."

Mrs Abrahams, who also sits on the hospital's patient panel, said she believes that its management is trying to make major savings as part of a bid to merge with two other trusts and gain Foundation status.

Jim Fagan, head of the Waltham Forest branch of campaign group Keep Our NHS Public, echoed that view. He added: "It would be madness if they did decide to do this - these types of services help reduce the need for readmissions to hospital, so it would be a very short-sighted move."

A spokeswoman for Whipps Cross NHS Trust said: “The trust is currently reviewing the services provided in the Connaught Day Hospital.

“We are working with patient representatives and clinicians as part of this review and expect to be able to make decisions about these services during May.”

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