Sutton Hospital to lose 80 per cent of its services to Epsom and St Helier

The hospital is half empty but treats about 1,500 patients a week, has around 200 members of staff, day surgery and an eye unit.

Sutton Hospital project director Tim Wilkins outside St Helier

It was always expected that the trust would move out of Sutton Hospital as part of the £219m redevelopment of St Helier Hospital but this has been delayed due to uncertainties caused by the Better Services Better Value healthcare review.

It emerged in April this year that the trust was proposing to move out of Sutton Hospital within a year to eighteen months and eventually sell the site – which is two years ahead of original plans. It is not known when the site will eventually be sold.

It has now been announced that 60 per cent of the hospital’s services will be moving to St Helier, which treats 8,500 patients a week, and the other 20 per cent will be moving to Epsom, which treats nearly 4,900 a week.

It is expected the trust could save at least £3m a year by moving out of Sutton; helping them fight their deficit.

Tim Wilkins, project director said: “The changes we’re proposing will improve the services we offer to our patients, improve the working environment for our staff and will help us to balance the books. 

"We have £4.5m in capital to move our services and to upgrade facilities at both Epsom and St Helier.”

Before they finalise any plans the trust is holding two drop-in sessions to hear people’s views. The first one is this afternoon between 4-8pm re:treat restaurant in St Helier Hospital.

The second one will take place on Thursday 3-5pm in the reception of Sutton Hospital.