An outcry against the closure of London's only "age appropriate" women's services department has been heard as patients and former staff prepare to rally against the decision at St George's Hospital.

Former director of nursing Barbara Bohanna and retired head of midwifery Stephanie Sulaiman are to lead the march in Tooting on February 6 after claiming the specialist service, the only one in London to see under-18's in a non-adults ward, is badly needed.

“I am shattered at the way in which this whole process has been conducted,” said Barbara.

“It is beyond belief that an organisation like St George’s would attempt to smash up such a valuable and needed service that serves so many of the most needy and vulnerable of our community.”

The medics, who have 100 years of nursing experience between them, are backed by patients, staff and trades unionists from across southwest London, with 2,500 signatures on the petition.

The service, which also serves some of west London's most vulnerable women , including those who have experienced female genital mutilation (FGM) , was closed in September 2015.

Consultant Michelle Fynes, who ran the now closed clinic which cared for women across London without a GP referral, said the Trust has put very little thought into what services they cut.

"It's irresponsible, reckless and corporate arrogance to think they don't have a responsibility over those patients anymore because the services have been closed," she said.

"There is nowhere for these young children to go that is an appropriate environment, St George's Hospital want them to be seen with adults, putting the service back 10 years."

Ms Fynes told getwestlondon how patients were transferred to Croydon Hospital after the closure, where they were seen to in a men's department, by a male doctor, before being discharged soon after.

"Three muslim ladies were in tears, having to be seen alongside males about something so sensitive.

"The trust don't understand that this is not right and they're extremely distressed."

Mary Wandia, FGM program manager from London-based charity Equality Now which campaigns against FGM, said: "We cannot afford to cut urgent and drastically-needed services and support to them.

"Ending FGM in the UK means supporting survivors as well as protecting girls at risk.

"We cannot afford to lose momentum or risk moving backwards at a time when the government is finally getting to grips with dealing with this extreme human rights violation and abuse of girls and women.”

St George's Hospital have been approached for comment but have not responded as yet.