A HOSPITAL in Northwood Hills is set to 'wither' for the next decade, despite being earmarked for redevelopment by health bosses.

Northwood and Pinner Cottage Hospital, in Pinner Road, was closed in 2008 after becoming affected by asbestos and classed as 'no longer fit for purpose'.

The Gazette reported last June how Hillingdon Primary Care Trust (PCT), which is responsible for the site, was repaying a historic £53million debt and unable to afford the 'substantial maintenance work'.

The PCT said the hospital, a First and Second World War memorial which opened in 1924, could be shut for at least four years, but remained a priority.

However, despite the PCT now being debt-free, chief executive of Hillingdon Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, David McVittie, told the Gazette that Northwood and Pinner Cottage Hospital is 'set to wither for the next 10 years'.

Mr McVittie said: "Speaking from experience, the hospital falls into the too difficult box and sadly is set to wither for the next 10 years.

"Eventually we will come out of the recession and hopefully we will recognise that it is an asset."

While the building remains closed, patients needing treatment including palliative respite and rehabilitation care, as well as out-patient and podiatry services, are forced to travel to Mount Vernon Hospital, in Northwood.

The news of the delay comes as the coalition government remains embroiled in a bitter row over NHS budget spending cuts.

A Hillingdon PCT spokesperson said: "The NHS as a whole needs to make £20bn worth of savings over the next four years, and Hillingdon PCT has to play its part in that.

"We, therefore, have to give very careful consideration to what we spend money on to benefit the health needs of Hillingdon residents as a whole.

"At the moment, Northwood and Pinner Cottage Hospital is not a priority in terms of meeting the health needs for the local area, which is already well served by facilities.

"One possible solution to enable redevelopment would be a multi-agency funded arrangement, combining health care with other services, making it a mixed-use facility for the community."

Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner MP, Nick Hurd, has vowed to hold the PCT to their promise that the hospital would be retained.

He told the Gazette: "Every time I drive past the old hospital, I think 'what a waste!' I want to see it live again as an asset for the community.

"Once again, I think it is time for the community to take a lead and literally stop the rot. I am in discussion with the PCT on how to take this forward."

Northwood Hills Residents' Association (NHRA) chairman, Andrew Riley, added: "While we are all disappointed with the news, we are also aware the coalition government have not yet completed its NHS future funding review, which may result in a different, more local funding model. We will have to wait and see."

What do you think? Email Gazette reporter Siba Matti at sibamatti@trinitysouth.co.uk or post a comment at http://northwood.uxbridgegazette.co.uk