Redeveloping Epsom Hospital

Plans for the future of Epsom Hospital were revealed when Samantha Jones, chief executive of the Epsom St Helier hospital trust outlined their proposals at a public meeting at the Town Hall last week. She confirmed that £70 million should be available for redevelopment on the Epsom site, independently of the work agreed at St Helier.

This sum did not include "third party" support, such as that offered by the Denbies Trust. It was related to the expected income on the Epsom site, whereas the money being spent on phase 1 of the St Helier redevelopment was based on the expected income on the St Helier site.

The plans relate solely to the buildings. The services to be provided in them are based on NHS Surrey's commissioning intentions. She confirmed that the A&E, maternity and children's services are all safe and other services would be developed.

Jon Sargeant, Director of Finance then explained how, starting from 65 possible alternatives, the number of options was first whittled down to 13 by stakeholders at a meeting to which members of the public, patient representatives, local health economy partners, local councillors and MPs were invited. The stakeholders also weighted scoring criteria by which the 13 most preferred alternatives were reduced to the 6 options which the Trust Board had now approved for submission to the Strategic Health Authority.

In response to questions it was confirmed that the recent "Local Needs Local Health" review had concluded that Epsom and St Helier should remain merged. This could change, but this would not affect the redevelopment work. The commissioning intentions of NHS Surrey mean that there needs to be a hospital in Epsom, irrespective of who manages it or what happens at St Helier.

It was also admitted that the Trust does not have the £70 million in a bank. That is the figure they can currently expect the NHS to agree to spend, based on the Trust's income on the Epsom site. The national financial situation might mean a reduction of income.

Lib Dem Cllr Jonathan Lees, who was present at the meeting, said "It's good that there is now a clear plan of what is to happen, but it's a shame it has taken so long and cost so much to get there - a figure that nobody is prepared to state! My worry now is will it happen or will it get derailed by some other event! We watch with great interest to see the outcome, as Epsom Hospital is vital to our community."