Epsom and Ewell councillors have reacted angrily to plans to close mental health facilities at Epsom General Hospital.

The council’s health liaison panel met with Surrey and Borders NHS Foundation Trust last Wednesday to discuss the future of Langley Wing, which is set to be moved to Redhill.

At the meeting, councillors expressed concerns about the accessibility of the new site for patients and relatives who may visit and provide support in the recovery process.

They also highlighted the need for links to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency unit, given that some people requiring treatment for physical injuries may also have mental health issues.

Councillor Sandy Sanger, chairman of the panel, said she felt the meeting produced the wrong result and that the proposals were seriously flawed.

She said: “We have fought for the interests of our residents and this is by no means the end of the matter as far as we are concerned.

"We complained about the initial consultation process which started last year and this had to be extended to consider the issues in more detail.

“However, we still feel that this has produced the wrong result and that the proposals are seriously flawed.”

Coun Sanger also questioned whether the trust could afford a new hospital in the light of the current financial climate.

A local carer, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “Of course we want the best possible facilities for our relatives who may need hospital treatment for a while, but it is totally unacceptable that the only in-patient beds are going to be located the other side of Redhill.

“Visiting regularly is going to be a nightmare, particularly for people who have to rely on public transport.

"It also harks back to the days when people with mental illness were shoved away out of sight out of mind, well away from their own communities.”

Helena Reeves, director of communications at NHS Surrey, said: “I can understand that people living in the area might be concerned to hear that the inpatient mental health services will be moving to Redhill, but actually the most important issue for these clients is getting the best possible care in the best possible environment.”

Surrey Borders has been labelled as one of the worst performing mental health trusts in a patient survey published on Thursday.

The Care Quality Commission surveyed patients and Surrey Borders was in the worst 20 per cent of trusts according to the responses to questions involving care and treatment. It was in the middle 60 per cent of trusts for other aspects of care and the top 20 per cent for giving patients enough notice of discharge from hospital.

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