THE decision to close Giffard Ward should have been debated in the States, according to John Gollop.

The St Peter Port North deputy (pictured) said he considered the decision to close a hospital ward as being of similar importance that to close a school.

‘I think it should have gone to the States first, it is an area of public concern,’ he said.

‘We are asked to debate a lot of small issues such as moving the day of the Chief Pleas, but some big decisions don’t get put in the frame.’

Deputy Gollop said Health and Social Services had also neglected to mention areas of concern in the explanation for its decision to close the King Edward VII ward, which specialises in caring for the elderly.

‘I can see recruitment and housing implications. The more you move towards community-based care, the more you need people who are based in Guernsey to do the work.’