Epsom Hospital Update
HOSPITAL PLANS SHELVED - BUT FOR HOW LONG?
Local NHS Managers have agreed to put the plans to transfer maternity and childrens' services from Epsom Hospital to St Helier on hold until they know what the future is for St Helier.
The future of hospitals across London is under scrutiny in response to a report by Health Minister Lord Darzi, which said that London should have far fewer acute hospitals. That's expected to mean big changes at St Helier, which may lose many of its acute services to St George's.
The Board of the Epsom and St Helier Trust had originally refused to delay their plans until the London review was completed - but have now changed their mind.
The move follows a summer of protests about the future of Epsom Hospital, which included rallies at Epsom, St Helier and outside 10 Downing Street.
Epsom and Ewell MP Chris Grayling said: "This may well be no more than a brief respite for Epsom, but at least it means that services won't now be transferred to St Helier before we know if it has a future."
"I am hugely grateful to all of those who joined the protests this summer. I have no doubt that the crowds at the Board Meeting that first agreed the changes, and then came along to the series of protest events, had a huge impact on the view of managers in the NHS."
"The NHS needs to understand that the protests will start again if Epsom services are threatened again."
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