A DELAY in the decision on the future of Epsom Hospital could be good news for Mole Valley residents, two MPs claimed this week.
The Better Services Better Value (BSBV) programme had said the decision on the future of the hospital's maternity and A&E units would be announced on Wednesday last week following a board meeting.
And although the meeting went ahead, it was later announced that no final conclusion had been reached and no recommendations were made. The BSBV hopes to reach a decision "in the spring", a spokeswoman said.
Last night Ashtead's MP Chris Grayling told the Advertiser: "This is a definite U-turn.
"I take this as them not quite understanding the level of opposition they would get back from people in Surrey."
He added: "We will keep pushing for Epsom to be taken out of the BSBV review and for us to have a sensible discussion about the future of healthcare options in our area."
Earlier this month, more than 500 concerned residents attended a meeting organised by Mr Grayling to discuss the future of the hospital at Blenheim High School, on the outskirts of Epsom.
"One of the reasons I was so pleased that so many people turned up at the meeting was it was quite a big message for us to send to BSBV," he said. "They have been coming under a lot of pressure."
Also under threat of losing maternity and A&E units are Croydon, St Helier, Kingston and St George's hospitals.
Mole Valley MP Sir Paul Beresford has also welcomed BSBV's decision to delay the news.
"I will be delighted if they are delaying it for a re-think and if they are going to reconsider the difficulties for people in my area," he said.
"Because for people in my constituency, the thought of going all the way to St George's Hospital in Tooting for an A&E department has not enamoured them.
"Anyone who has tried to drive down Tooting High Street will know that for much of the day it's solid with traffic."
A BSBV spokeswoman last night could not give a firm date for when a decision is likely to be made.
But she added: "We will be doing further engagement in Surrey. The board decided to allow more time to engage with local people and the stakeholders there."
Meanwhile Matthew Hopkins, chief executive of the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to thank our patients and local people for the on-going support and commitment you give to our hospitals."
"It's important to remember that any BSBV recommendations will be subject to a 12-week public consultation which will give patients, local people, hospital staff and others a chance to have their say about the proposals," he added.
