HC Deb 05 February 2001 vol 362 cc394-5W
Sir Archie Hamilton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) for what reason the consultation being carried out by the Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust recommends a significant transfer of facilities away from Epsom to St. Helier; [148329]

(2) for what reasons the Chief Executive of the Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust has not held discussions with the management of hospitals in Surrey about the impact on them of the location of services away from St. Helier. [148328]

Mr.Denham

The discussion document published by Epsom and St. Helier national health service trust considers ways in which patient services could best be provided for local people. It takes into account Royal College guidelines on the required critical mass of services for these to be provided and also the need to use the accommodation at Epsom hospital to the best advantage of patients.

This is an informal discussion document. Should concrete proposals be developed, there would be a full and formal consultation with all affected parties, including local people and other NHS organisations.