Epsom Hospital Update
Secretary of State announcement about the location of the Critical Care Hospital
19 December 2005
Secretary of State announcement about the location of the Critical Care Hospital
We have been informed by Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Health that she has announced her decision that the new critical care hospital should be built, depending on planning permission being given, at the St Helier site. The Department of Health statement said:
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt today announced her decision that Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust's new critical care hospital should be built, depending upon planning permission being given, at the St Helier site. Patricia Hewitt said:
"I strongly support the new model of care, with once critical care hospital and several community hospitals. The only issue is the site of the critical care hospital."
The arguments over which is the better site for the critical care hospital are finely balanced.
In such a situation, where other criteria do not point overwhelmingly to one site or the other, I believe that it is right, in view of the Department of Health's commitment to reduce health inequalities, to give priority to the needs of those communities that suffer the worst social and economic disadvantage.
I also believe the NHS should take full account of its corporate social responsibility as an employer and contractor, and ensure that major developments contribute to the broader regeneration of disadvantaged areas.
I have therefore decided that, in these particular circumstances, the critical care hospital should be sited in the local area of greatest need and greatest health inequality and that I should now ask that the local NHS take forward detailed planning for the Critical Care Hospital at St Helier."
The go-ahead for the hospital at the St Helier site still depends on planning permission being secured. Should it not prove possible to secure planning permission, the Secretary of State would be prepared to support the location of the hospital at the Sutton site.
A spokesperson for the Better Healthcare Closer to Home programme said:
"The Better Healthcare Closer to Home Programme Steering Group now needs to hold an extra-ordinary meeting to discuss how to take this decision forward."
-ENDS-
For Department of Health media enquiries call Madeleine Jamieson on 020 7210 5669.
For the Better Healthcare Closer to Home press office, call 020 8296 2406.
For further information about Better Healthcare Closer to Home, visit the website at www.betterhealthcare.org.uk
Link to Patricia Hewitt's letter and appendix
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