It is not clear whether the closure is another cost cutting measure by the cash strapped Primary Care Trust or a planned but unannounced move decided during the planning of the Downham Lifestyles Centre, which contains a library, leisure facilities and NHS surgeries. Cllr Chris Maines says, "We knew which Downham surgeries and clinics were moving into the new facility in Moorside Road, nobody suggested patients would have to travel from Grove Park which will be a nightmare by public transport."

Councillor Maines has been told by the PCT that questionnaires are being handed out to patients as part of a consultation on the future of Marvels Lane Clinic but he believes support staff have been warned that they to be made redundant next week and a decision to close the clinic has been made prior to any formal consultation. "Lewisham PCT's website is silent on this issue and no formal approach has been made to the Council's Health Scrutiny select committee," says the Liberal Democrat councillor.

The financial problems of local NHS Primary Care Trusts are well known and led to the sudden replacement of senior managers with a "turn-round team" over the new year with the task of making £14 million savings over the coming financial year.

"The PCT seem rather shy about explaining the medical benefits of closing Marvels Lane clinic, we can only assume it is being driven by their financial crisis."