27 October 2009
Residents from across Epsom and the surrounding areas are being invited to attend a public meeting to hear more about plans for redeveloping the Epsom Hospital site.
The meeting, organised by the Trust in partnership with NHS Surrey and Epsom & Ewell Borough Council, will take place on Wednesday 11 November from 7.30pm - 9pm in Epsom Town Hall.
Earlier this year, the Trust launched a project to develop a vision (also known as a strategic outline case (SOC)) for the future of the hospital, including where money needs to be invested to improve and enhance the buildings and infrastructure on the site.
Since then, the Trust has worked with a wide range of patient representatives, local councillors, MPs, charities, staff and other stakeholders to find out what they think a future Epsom Hospital site should look like.
Thanks to their input, a short-list of options has been pulled together, and guests attending the meeting will be among the first to learn more about each of the six options and how they will be whittled down to create a final blue-print for the hospital site.
Samantha Jones, Trust Chief Executive, said: "We know that local people care deeply about the future of Epsom Hospital and acknowledge the uncertainty there has been about it in the past. However, based on the commissioning intentions of our local NHS partners, we know that the future of the hospital, and its services, are safe, including the A&E and maternity unit.
"Epsom Hospital offers a great service to the local community, but the site is getting old and definitely needs additional investment on top of the money we invest into maintaining and improving the site each year.
"The development of a vision for Epsom Hospital is the first step to a major multi-million pound investment into the site, helping to ensure we have the right buildings and infrastructure in place to meet the future needs of the people of Epsom and surrounding areas. Whilst there is still a lot of work to do, including receiving all the necessary approvals and, more importantly, securing the funding, it is extremely good news for the site."
Paul Bennett, Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Surrey, said "Our aim, as commissioners, is to buy the best local care for Epsom and the surrounding areas as possible. We want to see a vibrant and healthy hospital on the Epsom site which this bid, if successful, will help support."
Councillor Chris Long, Chairman of Epsom & Ewell Borough Council's Social Committee, said: "We are pleased to be able to host this important meeting. Residents are understandably concerned about the future of their local hospital. The Trust is putting together some clear proposals for the improvements it hopes to make at the Epsom Hospital site."
The public meeting will take place in Epsom Town Hall, The Parade, Epsom KT18 5BY.
