A gynaecology ward at Mayday Hospital is set to close down, but hospital bosses insist job losses will be avoided.

The specialist Bensham ward 1 is due to be shut from December 19 with patients relocated to a new dedicated gynaecology zone.

The 12 beds will be located in the Queen’s 2 ward, which will become a female-only surgical ward.

The move has been met with scepticism by Geoff Martin, from action group London Health Emergency.

He said: “We will be watching this development closely and if there is any suggestion that service capacity or staffing levels are being cut, the Mayday Trust will have one almighty row on their hands.

“We know that the hospital is under financial pressure and local people will not accept cash-led cuts to health services while the bankers and the city are being handed tens of billions of taxpayers pounds.”

One doctor, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “This will cause hardship for lots of people at a time of their lives when people do not need that kind of stress on them.

“The ward should be kept open in order to support those most in need and to ensure that those patients are receiving the healthcare services they require.”

Mayday Hospital Trust claim they consulted staff before implementing the changes.

Specialists within gynaecology and orthopaedics have also been consulted, along with members of the team who care for these patients.

The trust also points to the improvement in care for women with urgent gynaecological problems, with the opening on a surgical assessment unit in the London wing.

A spokeswoman said: “The trust will avoid redundancies wherever possible and there are sufficient nursing vacancies for staff to be re-deployed on other wards.

“Over the next few weeks we will be working closely with those staff affected on Bensham 1 and Queens 2 about their preferences as to where they wish to work in the future to ensure a smooth transition for all concerned.”