Hook and Chessington residents say: Save Epsom Hospital!

Edward Davey MP delivers petition to consultation on future of Epsom Hospital

17.12.04

Chessington and Hook residents made their feelings clear over the proposed closure of Epsom Hospital with a 1,490 signature petition that was collected by local residents and sent in by Edward Davey this week. Edward Davey, the Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, submitted the petition to the Programme Manager of the Better Healthcare, Closer to Home consultation that closed at the end of November.

The consultation included an option to close Epsom Hospital, a decision that would affect large numbers of residents in Chessington, Hook, Malden Rushett, Tolworth and Worcester Park. In spite of this, Edward Davey had to fight to get Kingston’s voice heard in the consultation. The huge outcry against the possible closure of Epsom Hospital shows this is an issue that will have profound affects across South West London, not just in Merton, Sutton and Mid Surrey.

Commenting, Edward Davey MP said,

"The remarkable response that we have had to the petition reflects just how strongly people feel about the threatened closure of Epsom Hospital. Thousands of my constituents rely on Epsom to provide them with basic services such as an Accident and Emergency Department or minor injury services.

“I would like to congratulate the residents involved in collecting this enormous petition. It will add our voice to the petitions collected in Epsom and elsewhere.

"I hope this obvious depth of feeling against the closure of Epsom Hospital will emphasise what I said in my response to the consultation; namely that the decision to close Epsom would adversely affect the lives of my constituents, not just through the reduction of services that this would engender but also through the subsequent increased pressure on Kingston Hospital.

"The Merton, Sutton and Mid-Surrey NHS Trust have tried to ignore Kingston throughout this consultation. This time they cannot ignore the concerns of 1,500 Chessington and Hook residents, never mind the rest of my constituents who would be affected if Epsom closed and Kingston Hospital’s services were stretched to breaking point.

"This is not just an issue for those who live in Epsom and Ewell but for everyone in my constituency of Kingston and Surbiton. This must be taken into account."