Hospital projects must still go ahead - Surrey MPs

Two MPs have called for a hospital rebuilding project in Surrey to go ahead after the government announced a review of its 40 new hospitals plan.

Epsom General Hospital and St Helier Hospital had been earmarked for development under the Conservatives' £20bn New Hospital Programme, which included a new emergency area hospital in Sutton in South London.

But Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a review of hospital and road projects to plug a £22bn hole in public finances.

Helen Maguire, MP for Epsom and Ewell, said her constituents “cannot wait any longer” for the investment, while Reigate MP Rebecca Paul said she would push ministers to “re-commit” to the project.

The buildings at the St Helier complex in Carshalton and much of the Epsom site have previously been described as “crumbling” and “not fit for 21st century healthcare."

Helen Maguire said she is concerned about any withdrawal of funding and the consequences this may have on local people.

“My constituents have been crying out for improvements at Epsom and St Helier and so it is vital that this project must go ahead,” she said.

She said she was "looking forward" to meeting the Health Secretary to relay the concerns of people in Epsom, Ewell, Ashtead and Leatherhead.

She also called on the government to "protect funding for the new Emergency Care Hospital at Sutton".

In a statement on social media Conservative MP Rebecca Paul, said: “People across Reigate & Banstead want to see the new hospital and improvements to existing hospitals delivered as promised, so they can access the healthcare services they deserve.

“I have asked the Secretary of State for Health, Wes Streeting, to confirm whether he intends to go ahead with these projects, and I’ll do all I can to push the Government to re-commit.”

A spokesperson for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust said their "ageing buildings are not fit for purpose".

They said: "As advised – we’re cracking on with plans for a new hospital and upgrades to our existing sites while this review takes place.

"We continue to make significant progress, from detailed pre-planning application discussions, to refining designs of the new hospital, bringing us closer to a state-of-the-art facility that our patients and staff deserve.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the previous government's 40 new hospitals plan was "undeliverable and unaffordable".

They said: "The funding allocated by the previous government runs out in March.

“We must reset the New Hospital Programme to put it on a sustainable footing, following persistent delays and cost overruns.

“We are therefore launching a full review of the programme to provide a thorough, costed and realistic timeline for delivery and to ensure we can replace the crumbling hospital estate in England.

"This government is determined to be honest with people about what can be delivered, and not let them down again.”

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