A leading Epsom councillor has called on health bosses to make the decision to split Epsom General Hospital from St Helier Hospital.

Councillor Chris Long said the split must take place so Epsom can emerge from the St Helier’s shadow.

Epsom and St Helier Hospitals’ NHS Trust has pledged to rebuild part of the ageing St Helier Hospital and that Epsom will survive as a hospital, but the details of the future services on site will not be announced until November The trust has also promised to spend money on the Epsom site but has still not revealed whether the future of Epsom will be bound to a charity, set up by millionaire businessman Adrian White Coun Long, chairman of the borough’s social committee, said: “We are tired of Epsom continuing to operate in the shadow of St Helier. The fact both hospitals are considered to be part of London does not help Surrey residents get the best possible service. We appreciate the trust is looking at the investment needed on the Epsom site, but nothing has been confirmed while the St Helier decisions have been made.

“If it is argued Epsom General Hospital is too small to be workable on its own, it is still possible to look at partnerships with other hospitals in Surrey.”

Epsom and St Helier Hospitals’ NHS Trust has been considering its future structure under the title Local Needs, Local Health.

The review looked at how the trust should be managed in the future and options under consideration are: Status quo – No change.

Demerger – Separation of Epsom and St Helier Hospitals.

Divestment – A transfer of part or whole services to another provider.

Other options – Such as clinical networks.

A spokesman for the trust said: “We continue to engage with staff, patient representatives and other stakeholders to understand their views on the way forward for the trust.

“A report outlining the options for the future, including their advantages and disadvantages, is expected to be presented to the Local Needs, Local Health project board in August or September.

The trust board will then meet to discuss the project board’s recommendations, so a final decision can be made.”