Save St Helier Hospital

Background

Back in September 2006, Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, tabled a parliamentary question challenging the then Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, to confirm that the Government will authorise the funding required to build a new acute hospital and local care hospitals in Sutton, Merton and the Epsom area.

Tom Brake explained, "Hundreds of thousands of pounds has been spent on the Better Healthcare Closer to Home programme so far. But now alarm bells are ringing with the civil servants in NHS London identifying that the local NHS Trusts' finances have experienced an unexpected and significant deterioration. This makes any new acute hospital at St Helier or Sutton very doubtful and puts the whole programme in jeopardy. If the Secretary of State cannot provide assurances that funding for a properly researched and designed programme will be available, there will be little point throwing good money after bad. She might as well put an end to the uncertainty right now and let patients know they will be using existing NHS hospitals for many years to come."

Local MPs Tom Brake and Paul Burstow secured an opportunity to grill Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt over the future of St Helier hospital and of health services in Sutton Borough. The two MPs requested the meeting because of the growing fears for the future of health services in the borough.

In September, Paul Burstow MP wrote to Ms Hewitt asking her to assure him that the 'full range of existing health care services' would continue to be offered within Sutton borough. Ms Hewitt's reply failed to offer any such guarantee.

Tom Brake MP is joined by Paul Burstow MP and Sean Brennan, Leader of Sutton Borough Council

A recent think tank report, supported by Ms Hewitt, suggests that there is excess capacity in South West London equivalent to two hospitals. Fears are growing that St Helier will be the first to be closed.

Speaking before the meeting, Tom Brake, MP for Carshalton and Wallington said:

"It is high time we had some straight answers from the Health Secretary - with short-term cost-cutting measures introduced by the week and rumours of closures gaining momentum, our constituents deserve to know the truth."

In October news arrived that up to 480 jobs and 208 beds could be lost at the Epsom and St Helier University NHS Trust, Tom Brake MP for Carshalton and Wallington in those constituency St Helier Hospital is located said at the time:

"This is very depressing news both for the hard-working and committed staff at St Helier Hospital and for patients.

"The Trust must do everything within its power to minimise staff cuts and to ensure that there are no compulsory redundancies.

"And the Trust must guarantee that there will be no impact on the quality of patient health care.

"This is further evidence of a 'Boom and Bust' approach to funding the NHS. Short-term financial problems must not be allowed to threaten the long-term viability of St Helier Hospital."

Fearing the worst for the future of healthcare services in Sutton Borough, Tom launched the Save our St Helier campaign.....

The Campaign So Far.......

Tom drew attention to the campaign to Save St Helier on BBC ONE's 'The Politics Show' and on Channel 4 News.

Commenting Tom said: " St Helier has been abandoned in no man's land by this Government."

The decision making process has been a shambles with no real leadership from the top or consultation or local residents. "What was required was leadership - for someone to say "the buck stops with me."

Sadly the situation would probably have been even worse if David Cameron's Tories were in power. Despite Mr Cameron's praise for the NHS, the bottom line is that the NHS would be almost £10 billion worse off this year (more than £1 million an hour) if the Tories had had their way. The way they voted in parliament speaks volumes and would have led to dramatic underfunding.

In response to the growing threat Tom launched an online petition as well as collecting signatures at the monthly Razzmattaz event in the centre of Wallington. The petition will be handed to Alan Johnson, the new Secretary of State for Health, and provides residents with a real opportunity to make their voices heard. Both versions of the petition have been a huge success with over 5000 signatures already and more names being added on a daily basis - sign the online petition now!

Save our St Helier March

Carshalton and Wallington MP, Tom Brake, led a noisy but good natured march at St Helier Hospital on 25th November 2006 to secure the long-term future of the hospital.

The march, organised by Sutton's two Lib Dem MPs in conjunction with UNISON, drew campaigners from far and wide with estimates suggesting that several thousand made the short journey from Rosehill Recreation Ground to the front of the Hospital where Tom Brake & key campaigners delivered a series of speeches.

Video coverage of the Save Our St Helier March is available to the right along with regular campaign updates.

Speaking on the day, Tom said: "The turnout today sends a strong and decisive message to the Government."

Recent developments...

On Friday 7th September the Better Healthcare Closer to Home team announced that plans to partially rebuild and partially refurbish St. Helier hospital were under threat due to a gap in the funding. Tom Brake said, "Until this gap is plugged, there are no guarantees about the future of St Helier Hospital and its Accident and Emergency Unit. We need certainty. People's lives depend on it. Only the Secretary of State for Health can provide that certainty"

Tom Brake and Paul Burstow have written to the Secretary of State for Health seeking assurances that this funding will be made available. The overwhelming local support for St Helier Hospital and its A+E was also drawn to Mr. Johnson's attention. They have requested a meeting with the Secretary of State to express their concerns face-to-face and a parliamentary debate to keep the pressure up on Ministers.

NHS trusts are currently in over £1.3 billion worth of debt. The number of organisations in deep debt has more than trebled in the last year. The Government repeatedly claims that heavy debt will not affect patient care. Yet just this year, there have been thousands of posts cut and many ward closures reported. There are worries that St. Helier will be the latest victim of the current government's mismanagement of the NHS.

However it is not all bad news, Mr Brake and Mr Burstow have welcomed the news that plans for the four local care hospitals in Wallington and St Helier and at the Wilson and the Nelson Hospitals are to proceed.

Show Your Support - Help Save St Helier

Sign the Online Petition

You can show your support for the Save St Helier Hospital Campaign by signing the online petition.

The petition has already been signed by many residents and will be presented to the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, to illustrate the depth of feeling in the local area.

Add your voice to the campaign and play a vital role in saving your local hospital!

Click here to SIGN THE PETITION.

For further details contact Tom Brake's constituency office on 8255 8155.

Share your views - complete the online survey

I would be grateful if you would take few moments to answer the following questions: Not every question may be applicable to you - so remember to click "Vote now" after each question you answer.

If you have not yet signed the petition, you can do so online. Just click on the following link: http://www.tombrake.co.uk/petitions/