HEALTH campaigners have slammed plans to sell off half of Brighton General.

They claim the NHS Trust is not acting in the city’s interest by selling the site to private developers Potential plans for the site were revealed by Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust last month, laying out five options for the Elm Grove hospital where the last inpatient beds were removed in 2009.

Half of Brighton General looks set to be sold and demolished to make way for residential accommodation.

The profits would be pumped into a community health hub.

Sussex Defend the NHS members have reacted with dismay to the planned sale.

Spokesman Steve Guy said: “This selling off of public assets to plug holes in finances or raise capital to repair buildings is ludicrous.

“It’s absolutely wrong to sell the whole site to private developers.

“What we need is more NHS and social care services and the public to have a meaningful say.

“We are urging supporters to ask why is there no proper public consultation on the sale of this public asset “We need to know what other options have been explored to repair the buildings.

“If houses are to be built on part of the site, will they be truly affordable?

“Will they be affordable for NHS staff?

Bosses have had ideas for the hub in the pipeline since last year and they say it would incorporate a string of services including mental health and primary care.

Siobhan Melia, chief executive of the Trust, says it is ‘a fantastic opportunity to do something big and ambitious for our community.’ She said: “We know people have fond memories of Brighton General Hospital and will feel a connection with it looming so large over the East Brighton skyline.

“But the NHS has changed massively since it was a functioning hospital and our challenge is to help make sure the NHS can meet the changing needs of the people that rely on it.

“Creating a purpose-built, modern and sustainable community health hub will help ensure the local NHS is fit for the future.”