Health bosses insist a hospital’s accident and emergency department is safe after a MP’s newsletter mistakenly said it would be axed.

Concerns over the future of the department at St Richard's Hospital in Chichester were reignited when MP David Willetts told 20,000 people it was shutting.

The hospital has recently been at the centre of a major campaign to retain its services after a proposed shake up by West Sussex Primary Care Trust put question marks over it A&E, maternity and children's services.

Tens of thousands of people signed petitions, attended meetings and marched against the plans, saying lives would be put at risk if patients had to travel to Worthing or Portsmouth for treatment.

The hospital, which has since merged with Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust, was subsequently told its A&E was safe.

But in a blunder that enraged health bosses, Havant MP Mr Willetts said the Government through the PCT was poised to shut the department at St Richard’s.

Hospital chief executive Marianne Griffiths said the mistake could have caused widespread concern and anxiety.

In a letter to Mr Willetts she said: “I am very concerned that as an influential member of the community your constituents will take at face value the incorrect information that you have stated.”

PCT chief executive John Wilderspin said: “I was extremely disappointed to read the article which claimed that the government, through the PCT, had decided to close down A&E at St Richard's.

This claim is simply not correct.

“'To be clear, there is no question of the A&E department at St Richard's being closed down.

“The decision to retain A&E services in Chichester was taken a year ago and has not changed.”

Mr Willetts has apologised for the mistake.

He said: “'I accept that I made a mistake and I have written a letter to them saying they were right to criticise me.

“When I have enquiries from constituents I will tell them and I will put a correction in the next edition of my newsletter.”