A leaked document has revealed Croydon University Hospital is still at risk of losing its accident and emergency (A&E) and maternity departments, while two others in the region are already safe.

The document, seen by the Croydon Guardian, shows a draft of ten "options" an expert panel from the Better Services Better Value (BSBV) review will score, as part of a reconfiguration of health services in south-west London.

According to the options currently under consideration, Croydon University Hospital could still lose its A&E, maternity and children's services if the panel decide either St Helier or Epsom hospitals should retain their A&Es.

The document shows those in charge of the review have already decided St George's and Kingston Hospital are safe from the cuts, but not Croydon.

All the options recommend both St George's and Kingston Hospital should keep their A&E and maternity facilities, while just four of the 10 options being considered would see Croydon retain the services.

It is still widely expected however that St Helier and Epsom will be recommended for losing the services.

But Croydon may not have a children's specialist unit such as a children's paediatric impatient unit under the proposals, which will be formally announced next Thursday.

Councillor Jason Cummings, vice-chairman of South-West Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee said the thought of Croydon University Hospital losing the key departments was "inconceivable."

Coun Cummings said: "I can fully understand at this stage that it looks like CUH is still being considered, but having seen the process go through once already and looked at the data from before, it is also impossible to come to the decision St Helier could keep their A&E and Croydon University Hospital lose theirs.

"All the reasons someone has for keeping St Helier open, the reasons are greater at Croydon University Hospital."

A spokesman for BSBV refused to comment on the options.

He said: "We will report on the full option process once the process is complete and a report will be put up on our website."

Last year BSBV, which is being carried out for a second time, published data a scoring panel of 60 people were considering, and made public announcements of their recommendations.

However, this time it has been decided the data scored by an "expert panel" of eight people, which will not be published.

An announcement will not be made until after it has all been considered by the programme board along with a financial appraisal next Wednesday.

The leaked document
scorecard.pdf