§ Lord Ezraasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why it proposed to reduce essential services at Crawley hospital at the same time as over 5,000 new homes are intended to be built in that area.[HL3707]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe issue of population growth was carefully considered by West Surrey and West Sussex health authorities before they issued their proposals on the future configuration of acute services at Surrey and Sussex Healthcare National Health Service Trust. The decision, announced on 26th June, was made to ensure that local residents have access to modern, effective, dependable and affordable health190WA services facilities that are tit for the 21st century. Ministers have recognised the importance of providing a clear strategic future of services across the health economy and have instructed the South East Regional Office of the National Health Service Executive to facilitate the establishment of a new working group made up of as many key local stakeholders as possible. This group will be responsible for producing recommendations on the long-term provision of acute, primary and intermediate care services and will consider the effect of long-term population growth in the area.