A&E and maternity services should continue to be provided at Epsom Hospital after its merger with Ashford and St Peter’s, residents were told at a meeting last week.

More than 100 people attended the gathering, at Epsom and Ewell town hall, on September 12, to be updated on plans of the merger of Epsom Hospital with Ashford and St Peter’s hospitals, the preferred partner for the hospital in Dorking Road which is currently part of Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust.

Andrew Liles, chief executive of Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, told visitors that Epsom Hospital’s existing A&E and maternity services were safe as long as staffing levels could be met in the A&E department, and more mothers choose to have their babies there.

Residents heard that Ashford and St Peter’s vision for the future of Epsom Hospital also includes plans for it to offer a planned surgical centre for specialist and general operations, and for it to revitalise its existing private healthcare service.

The hospital would act as a hub for community and social care services, working in partnership with local community provider Central Surrey Health to deliver more ward-based rehabilitation services and improved links to community services; work in partnership with The Royal Marsden Hospital on cancer services; and act as a base for acute mental health services in partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Liles said: "This was a good opportunity for us to introduce ourselves, to describe in more detail our vision for Epsom Hospital and to hear directly from local residents. 

"We were particularly pleased to see the meeting so well-attended and the clear interest and support there is in the future of Epsom Hospital."

Jean Steer, chairwoman of the council’s social committee, said the council would do all it could to keep key services in Epsom.

She said: "We heard a lot of positive messages about the future of Epsom Hospital and I am sure our residents, many of who attended this meeting, will be really pleased to hear these after many years of concern and uncertainty. 

"The council will be doing all it can to support the new administration to ensure that key services remain within the borough".