Here is what Sutton, St Helier and Epsom sites could look like with new emergency care hospital

A public consultation began this month on proposals to invest £500 million in health services.

Three 'listening events' - organised by the clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in Merton, Surrey Downs and Sutton - have now taken place, with a further six to come.

Sutton artist impression

At these events residents were shown artist impressions of what each hospital could look like if it is chosen to receive the new emergency care hospital.

Merton GP and clinical chairman of NHS Merton CCG, Dr Andrew Murray said: “These images give us an exciting glimpse of what a brand new 21st century hospital facility could look like and they offer people attending our nine listening events a visual idea of the buildings that could be provided as part of our £500 million investment in improving health services.

"Let us know what you think – the listening events in each CCG area are just one of a number of ways you can do that.”

St Helier artist impression

The new 21st century hospital facility would bring together six services for the most unwell patients, as well as hospital births. Sutton has been put forward as the preferred option.

Dr Ruth Charlton, joint medical director for Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust, said: “We have many buildings that are older than the NHS.

"It can’t be right that sick patients are now wheeled around in their beds outside to reach other parts of the hospital – often in the rain – or that ambulances move people around for treatment because the lifts are too small for modern hospital beds.

Epsom artist impression

“I want the most unwell patients to be able to get a fast diagnosis and start treatment more quickly to speed up their recovery.

"Our proposals for a new specialist emergency care facility set out how bigger teams of expert staff could do this.”