Epsom Hospital Update
Widespread NHS cutbacks forecast.
The NHS is in the latter stages of preparing a consultation document which is likely to recommend further dramatic cuts to hospital services in Surrey. The plan is expected to include the closure of all Epsom's acute services and a downgrading of either Guildford or St Peter's in Chertsey, leaving the County with just three major hospitals compared with five at present. NHS managers say privately that a similar exercise in London is likely to lead to the partial closure of St Helier as well, with its acute services moving to St George's in Tooting.
The move comes despite the announcement of 480 job cuts at the Epsom and St Helier Trust, and the planned loss of almost 200 of its 900 beds. A decision has yet to be taken about the future of the maternity unit at Epsom, though if the broader cuts go ahead, it looks unlikely to survive.
Meanwhile NHS officials have given a lukewarm welcome to an offer by former Epsom Hospital Chairman Adrian White to take over the hospital and turn it into a charitable trust serving the local community (see overleaf).
In an angry meeting between MPs from Surrey and other parts of the South East and health minister Caroline Flint, Chris Grayling told her that Surrey is in danger of becoming a healthcare desert.
"These proposals will be disastrous for local residents," said Chris. "The NHS in Surrey seems to be evaporating before our eyes. It beggars belief that we could all spend so much extra in taxes and end up with East Surrey Hospital as the only hospital between Tooting and the south coast. It's not as if we are getting improved community services instead. They are being cut as well. It's all completely unacceptable."
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