A GROUP of local doctors have taken the unprecedented step of challenging health chiefs over the potential closure of Berkeley hospital.

Doctors at the Marybrook Medical Centre in Berkeley have written to the Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust (PCT) arguing against the proposed Berkeley hospital closure and Dursley re-build.

This is the first time during the health consultation that members of the local health service have spoken out against the PCT's proposals. Until now most health workers who have spoken on the matter have been in support of closing Berkeley hospital.

"Our reasons are very genuine and very accurate. We do not see why a new hospital needs to be built when there is a perfectly adequate hospital in Berkeley," said Dr Peadar Walshe who has worked at the Marybrook Medical Centre for 12 years.

In their letter, addressed to Elizabeth Law, chairman of the PCT, the Berkeley doctors argue against all of the main points given as reasons by the PCT for the Berkeley closure.

These include the state of the building, the lack of room for increasing the number of outpatient appointments, restricted parking and funding.

The doctors do not believe the hospital building requires high maintenance costs and they suggest if consulting rooms at the hospital were better used then the PCT could meet its target of more out-patient appointments.

Dr Walshe told the Gazette the biggest concern he and his colleges have though is that they are not convinced the Dursley re-build will sufficiently replace Berkeley Hospital.

He said: "I'm not convinced having had a look at the proposals for the new hospital in Dursley that they are going to replace like with like."

Richard James, chief executive for the Cotswold and Vale PCT, said: "The question for the PCT is more about the location of services and whether they are best placed to serve the population of Dursley, Berkeley, Cam and Wotton-Under-Edge.

"Losing an old friend is always a challenge in the NHS and attracts a great deal of emotion. Berkeley Hospital was approved for closure some 14 years ago and it was the Board of the Severn NHS Trust that invested substantial sums of money to refurbish the Hospital.

"This was achieved in part but was not sufficient to provide that sustainability. It is not possible to argue that a further upgrade to the Hospital provides a satisfactory solution to the large majority of the population the Hospital should serve."