HOSPITAL PLAN MARKS PROGRESS, BUT SNAIL LIKE PROGRESS - BURSTOW

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 3rd Jul 2008

Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow, has welcomed the news that the local NHS is close to finalising it plans for £140 million investment at St Helier hospital and the development of local care centres in the borough. But he has warned that after a decade of costly dither and delay rapid progress is essential.

Mr Burstow has been told by local NHS bosses of plans to demolish Ferguson House on the St Helier hospital site and build a new patient block will take up to seven years before work begins.

Commenting Paul Burstow MP said: "These plans have been a long time coming. Investment at St Helier is already long overdue but it could be years before ground is broken and work starts. After so much costly dither and delay local NHS bosses must do everything in their power to get Ministerial approval for these plans as quickly as possible. I will do everything I can to secure an early greenlight from Ministers.

"Compared to the grand plans of the past this package is far more modest. A lot of time and taxpayers money has been wasted on grand designs, lessons must be learned.

"I am concerned that these plans leave the future use of the Sutton hospital site uncertain. I have told NHS bosses that they need to take a careful look at the future of the site for health and social care."

ENDS