Surrey Downs GPs want to continue working closely with hospitals in South West London following the collapse of the controversial Better Services Better Value review yesterday.

The review, which Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (SDCCG) pulled-out of in November, had involved St Helier, Kingston, Croydon and St George’s hospitals, and proposed to downgrade Epsom and St Helier’s A&E, children’s and maternity units.

Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton and Wandsworth clinical commissioning groups announced yesterday morning that they had no plans to continue further with the review and that a Five Year Strategy would instead be outlined in June.

In a statement, Dr Claire Fuller, clinical chairwoman of SDCCG, said that it would continue to work with hospitals in London and Surrey to improve care.

She said: "Our priority is on driving up quality of care for local people and we continue to work with local hospitals and healthcare providers to deliver real improvements.

"Our close proximity to London means we will always want to continue to work closely with colleagues across the borders, including those in south west London, and this will not change.

"Our plans for the future focus on better and more integrated care and this will involve working closely with Epsom and St Helier hospitals trust, Kingston hospital trust and East Surrey Hospital as our main hospitals, as well as other London hospitals and CCGs in Surrey and south west London, to ensure our local population is receiving the best possible healthcare."

Epsom health campaigner Jane Race said she thought SDCCG might well want to be involved in discussions surrounding the new Five Year Strategy.

She said: "That’s a decision for SDCCG to make based on what they feel is appropriate for their patients. 

"I would imagine that while there are still links between Epsom and St Helier they would be taking a role within it but at this point we have to wait and see. 

"SDCCG seems to be doing a good job so far." 

On yesterday's announcement, she added: "It’s certainly good that the GPs and CCGs are acting in the best interests of their patients. 

"Obviously we have to wait and see with the five year review.  It’s important that any reorganisation is based on strong evidence going forward."

But Bess Harding MBE, founder of the Epsom Medical Equipment Fund, voiced concerns about Epsom Hospital being involved in another reconfiguration review down the line.

She said: "As long as Epsom isn’t hauled into it again and more money is not wasted which could go into healthcare. 

"But if we are part of St Helier I don’t see how they can separate us unless they split the trust.  How can you run two different methods for the hospitals under one trust?"

What do you think about the BSBV announcement?  Leave a comment below or email Hardeep Matharu on hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk.