Patrica Hewitt snubs local Health Committee
Following the shock intervention by Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Health, changing the venue for the new critical care hospital to St Helier, instead of the Sutton hospital site next to the Royal Marsden, the joint health scrutiny committee formed by Surrey, Sutton and Merton to monitor the implementation of The Epsom - St Helier NHS trust's plans for "better health-care closer to home" called a meeting for Monday 13th February to hear from the various parties concerned. The Secretary of State was invited to attend and clarify how the siting of the critical care hospital at St Helier will best address the health needs of all residents in the relevant areas. However she has refused to attend or send any representative.