NHS Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group, NHS Sutton Clinical Commissioning Group and NHS Merton Clinical Commissioning Group have announced that they have selected the Sutton location for a new hospital, consolidating the area’s major acute services.
Councillor Barry Nash, Chair of the council’s Community and Wellbeing Committee, greeted the announcement with mixed feelings.
He said: “Epsom & Ewell Borough Council has lobbied extensively for this borough’s residents to have access to state-of-the-art healthcare. Our view was that the best location for the provision of emergency healthcare was within this borough.
“Whilst I welcome the news of the significant investment in local health care and that local residents will have access to a world class modern facility with the latest equipment and highly trained specialist personnel, I’m disappointed that the new unit will be outside our borough.
“Various issues were raised by borough residents during the Improving Healthcare Together public consultations. Major concerns were expressed about the journey time for emergency vehicles and others from Epsom and beyond to reach a Sutton location. The council will continue to engage with the Improving Healthcare Together and the NHS to ensure these concerns are addressed.
“We have assurances that Epsom Hospital will continue to provide the vast majority of its existing services, including an Urgent Treatment Centre and that investment in Epsom Hospital facilities will continue”.
Link to NHS announcement: https://improvinghealthcaretogether.org.uk/green-light-for-500m-investment-for-epsom-and-st-helier-hospitals-and-brand-new-specialist-hospital-in-sutton/
