Croydon University Hospital has said it has welcomed the recommendations of a healthcare review - despite one option being for it lose its A&E and maternity services.

Croydon Health Services NHS Trust’s chief executive welcomed the review of emergency and maternity services, which names Croydon as a major acute hospital, under two proposed options for future care in south west London.

Croydon University Hospital will remain a major acute hospital, with full A&E and maternity services, under the preferred and alternative options from Better Services Better Value (BSBV) published today.

But a third, least preferred option, is to turn Epsom Hospital into an elective care centre, with St Helier remaining as an acute hospital with upgraded services, and Croydon becoming a local hospital. Under this option both Epsom and Croydon Hospitals would lose their A&E and maternity services.

But it is seen as the least likely option to be approved.

BSBV’s preferred option for the region’s healthcare is St Helier becoming a "local hospital" losing its A&E and maternity units and Epsom also losing their front line services but becoming a centre for elective care.

82 per cent of patients in SW London would continue to go to exactly the same places they do now for treatment. By comparison only 53 per cent of patients will do the same if Croydon University Hospital’s full A&E and consultant-led obstetric units removed.

John Goulston, Croydon Health Services NHS Trust chief executive said:"It is extremely good news for Croydon that the hospital is included in two options as a major site, with A&E, children and maternity services. I fully support the BSBV review and the changes recommended are vital for the clinical sustainability of acute 24/7 services."

"By keeping Croydon's major acute hospital, more patients will receive treatment at the places where they are currently seen, while getting a more consistent standard of care. We are making continued progress and investment in emergency care at Croydon University hospital, which together with the aims of BSBV, is all in the interests of patients, their families and staff."