Epsom Hospital

Epsom Hospital could be closed. It could be expanded. Or health services there radically changed.

All these options will be in a consultation to start September. That will look at the future for hospitals in the Boroughs of Epsom, Sutton and Merton, and related health services.

The results will affect Kingston’s health services.

Epsom Hospital is used by thousands of Kingston residents. Especially people living in Chessington, Hook, Malden Rushett and parts of Tolworth and Worcester Park.

Moreover, when neighbouring hospitals close or change – for example, if A&E or maternity services are dropped – then the knock-on effects for Kingston Hospital can be huge. Remember what happened when Labour closed Queen Mary’s A&E?

So this is a big local health issue.

Yet so far, NHS bosses at the South West London Strategic Health Authority hadn’t paid much attention to Kingston’s views.

Not good enough, I’m afraid, if you’re a mother wanting to give birth in her local hospital. Or a victim of an accident in Chessington wanting the nearest casualty unit.

So at a recent meeting I secured a guarantee that Kingston will now be formally consulted.

I’ve written to the Council, Kingston Hospital and the Primary Care Trust to ensure they get fully involved. There’s a website for this review – www.betterhealthcare.org.uk.

Let’s make sure any changes do bring Kingston better health care.