More public consultation is being sought by Epsom and St Helier hospitals with the launch of their ‘Talk and Tour’ events.

The purpose is to create transparency for their 2020-2030 engagement campaign, an idea created to gather public opinion about the possible opening of an additional facility for acutely sick patients.

Chief Executive Daniel Elkeles said: “We want local people to have their say about the long term future of our hospitals and local healthcare, and get involved in our engagement campaign. We’re throwing open our doors so that members of the public can find out more about our thoughts on the future and see why we need to begin planning now.

“We want to find out what people think about us securing £300 to £400 million to create a specialist acute facility for our sickest patients. Doing so would mean that our acute clinical staff are concentrated in one place, enabling us to meet and exceed more care standards, fill rotas more effectively and provide care in buildings which we believe local people and our staff deserve. It will mean that our sickest and most at-risk patients will be seen by our most experienced staff quickly, no matter what day of the week or time of the day.

“Importantly, this would enable us to keep the majority of services local and 85% of our patients will see no change to where they receive their care, although they would be seen in improved facilities. So please – come along to one of our events and help us plan and prepare healthcare services for future generations.”

The Talk and Tour sessions will host a presentation regarding the 2020-2030 engagement campaign as well as a hospital tour with an Executive Director.

In July, Dave Ash, a founding member of the Keep Our St Helier Hospital (KOSHH) campaign said: “For some time now, the KOSHH Campaign have warned that our local acute services at both Epsom and St Helier hospitals were under threat.

“It seems that under the current plans, we are likely to lose acute services (including A&E, Maternity, Inpatient paediatrics and a whole host of other services) from one or even both of Epsom Hospital And St Helier Hospitals (incorporating Queen Mary's Hospital for children), with the promise of a new "facility" hosting a selection of acute services which will likely be located on what's left of the former Sutton Hospital site.

“For most hospitals, acute services, especially A&E and Maternity are the "front door" for patients. Once a hospital loses its acute services, what's left on-site will quickly wither and die, and before you know it, the remains of what used to be our local acute hospitals will be described as "no longer financially sustainable.”

Talk and Tour dates:

Wednesday 13 September from 5.30pm in the Whitehall Lecture Theatre at St Helier

Thursday 14 September from 5.30pm in the Lecture Theatre at Epsom

Wednesday 20 September from 5.30pm in the Whitehall Lecture Theatre at St Helier

Thursday 21 September from 5.30pm Lecture Theatre at Epsom.

Reservations are limited and you are encouraged to email esth2020-2030@nhs.net or call the Communications Team on 020 8296 4996 to book a spot.

The Epsom and St Helier Chief Executive believes the events are a “fantastic opportunity” for everyone concerned with the hospital to “create a strong vision for the long term future”.

He added: “But the fact is we are held back by our ageing buildings, many of which were designed before antibiotics were discovered.

“While any change would be some years away, we have to make sure as many people as possible have their say now – so please do get involved.”