Susan Liang is quite right that residents should make clear their support for St Helier hospital.
Like me, I’m sure she was pleased to hear that, following the withdrawal of Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) from the process last year, local health care professionals now regard the business case for the closure of St Helier Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department and Maternity Unit as no longer viable.
As a result, these options have been taken off the table for discussion.
This is a relief for us all yet the question remains why so much time, money and effort was spent on this review in the first place?
In the longer term, the viability of healthcare right across the south west London region will still be an issue for consideration by the CCGs.
Speaking to people in my ward however, it’s quite clear that any future proposals considered by local GPs must take into account the very strong feelings of Merton residents in favour of retaining all services at St Helier.
That’s precisely why Conservative councillor colleagues and I have submitted a motion to next week’s Full Council meeting calling on the Chairman of Merton’s local CCG to appear urgently before the borough’s Health Scrutiny panel.
We want to ensure he is in no doubt of the high regard in which hospital staff are held and Merton residents’ clear determination to preserve A&E and Maternity Services at St Helier for the future.
I very much hope he will attend.
Councillor Maurice Groves; Conservative Councillor for Lower Morden ward, Merton Council
What do you think? Send your letter to: letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk.
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