Downgrading both Epsom and St Helier Hospitals “makes no sense”, clinicians actually involved in the Better Services Better Value (BSBV) review have claimed.

The clinicians, from Epsom Hospital, are members of BSBV’s Clinical Working Groups which look at six areas including maternity, children’s services and acute medicine.

Each working group draws up models for BSBV – based on how services can be improved, developed and protected in the long term.

However, in a letter, sent to the chief executive of the Epsom and St Helier Trust Matthew Hopkins, three clinicians claim that attempts have been made to exclude those openly opposed to BSBV.

It says: “Turning both St Helier and Epsom Hospitals into local care centres will result in local residents having to travel much further to access A&E, maternity and children’s in-patient services, amongst others.

“Centralising services at three hospitals at one end of a geographical area does not make sense if the aim is to deliver better services for all residents.”

In response Mr Hopkins has written to the senior responsible officer (manager) of BSBV, Rachel Tyndall, to air some of the trust’s concerns about the review including risks to the elderly and the transparency of the programme.

The letters in full

Open letter to Matthew Hopkins
BSBVopenletter.doc

Matthew Hopkins' letter to Rachel Tyndall
LettertoRachelTyndall.pdf

Rachel Tyndall's response to Matthew Hopkins
LettertoMatthewHopkins.pdf