Hundreds of millions of pounds will be made available to Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust to develop a new major acute hospital.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced this on Sunday and the hospital's chief executive Daniel Elkeles said he was delighted by the news.

"This is the largest investment in healthcare in the region since the hospitals were built - which in St Helier’s case was 80 years ago - and I would like to say a huge thank you on behalf of local people and our staff to everyone who played a role in securing this investment for us," he said.

“This is incredible news for our patients and staff, and will be of huge benefit to our local communities.

"For anyone who has been to Epsom or St Helier hospitals recently, it is clear to see that – while our staff work incredibly hard in some difficult conditions – our buildings are just not up scratch for 21st century healthcare and our way of working at the moment is not sustainable forever."

While the cash injection has been widely praised among Merton politicians, some are still wary about how the money will be used.

That is because the funds will be used to build a new facility on one of three sites - Epsom, St Helier or Sutton.

Those concerned include Labour MP for Mitcham and Morden Siobhain McDonagh and leader of Merton Council Stephen Alambritis, who would prefer the St Helier site benefit.

"Any money is good money, but the devil is in the detail," Ms McDonagh said.

"We want to see a brand new A&E on the St Helier site as we believe the people who are most unwell and who have the least access to transport live around St Helier."

Cllr Alambritis added: “While the announcement of new funding for Epsom and St Helier Trust is very welcome, it remains to be seen how it will be used by the Trust and the CCGs.

“We hope this investment will be used to build a brand new hospital on the St Helier Hospital site, allowing Merton residents to continue to access the full range of NHS acute services on the site, including a blue light A&E and consultant-led maternity service.”

No decision has yet been made about the location of the new hospital, with an announcement of the date of a formal consultation to be made in the coming weeks.

Councillor Thomas Barlow, Merton Conservatives spokesman for health says he looks forward to seeing the money be put to good use.

“This is great news for residents and shows once and for all that St Helier has a bright, secure and sustainable future," he said.

"Finally, and to the relief of residents, nobody will be able to say otherwise."