I have recently attended 2 meetings where the NHS Better Services Better Value team detailed their plans for the future of healthcare provision in SW London and Surrey Downs.

At both meetings we were assured that no decisions had been made on the future of our local hospital and any two of 4 hospitals - Croydon, Kingston, St Helier and Epsom - would lose their A & E and Maternity Depts.

St Georges although in the mix will lose nothing.

Do these people really think we are stupid.  Of course decisions have been made, and without adequate consultation with OUR residents and GPs.

Shortly residents of Epsom, Ewell and further into Surrey will have to travel vast distances into London or deeper into Surrey to get the treatment we currently get from Epsom and St Helier hospitals.

At the same time the new Chief Executive at Croydon Hospital is quoted in the Croydon Advertiser that £15 million will be spent this year on a new state of the art A & E.  Does this sound like a hospital due to have its A & E downgraded?  This massive spend on a hospital rated amongst the worst in London and where 1 in 3 of its own staff would not send a family there for treatment.  Does this make sense to you?

Over many years I have campaigned to save services at Epsom Hospital, walking with colleagues from all political parties to highlight unnecessary movements of services and potential closure of our maternity services.  Now here we are again.

Have no doubt who is to blame for this latest debacle, the highly paid CEOs and their boards who have mismanaged budgets and tried to hide their inefficiencies.

I urge all residents in our borough and beyond to e-mail betterservices@swlondon.nhs.uk to voice your opinions on these proposals as a matter of urgency - be angry, be very angry because our residents are being woefully misled.

Councillor Sheila Carlson
Leader of Labour Group
Epsom & Ewell Council