Welcoming the publication of Surrey PCTs ‘Fit for the Future’ proposals Glenn Douglas, Chief Executive at Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals said:

"We have maintained all along that Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals have a central role to play in plans to improve provision of healthcare services in Surrey.  These go beyond maintaining A&E, the Walk-In Centre, Maternity and Children's services.    We welcome the proposals in the ‘Fit for the Future’ as they are based on the views of the doctors and nurses who provide services across Surrey.   Ensuring that we provide the best services possible in line with the standards set by the Royal Colleges, Healthcare Commission and others, within the funds available to us, does however mean that we need to look for partnerships with our neighbouring hospitals and that is why we are exploring the possibility of a management merger with Frimley Park Hospital.   Although this is at an early stage we believe that this could enable the two organisations to respond positively to Surrey PCTs 'Fit for the Future' proposals."

Surrey PCTs ‘Fit for the Future’ business case is available on the Surrey PCT website at http://www.surreypct.nhs.uk/creating-an-nhs-fit-for-the-future.  

The seven proposed improvements are:

1.         A new high quality vascular service for Surrey means more people can be treated in Surrey rather than travel toLondon with access to specialists 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

2.         Creation of a cardiac network in Surrey will offer the latest life-saving surgical techniques such as primary angioplasty and thrombolysis (clot-busting) treatments. For patients this will mean more specialist care and faster access to the right treatment and again, less travel into London.

3.         Dedicated specialist stroke units with 24 hour access to CT scanning to help fast diagnosis. For stroke patients this will mean faster treatment and the best chance of recovery.

4.         Improved maternity services, delivered in line with the latest national and international evidence. This will mean increased access to experienced consultants.

5.         Developing children’s services in line with the national guidance for example, making sure accident and emergency departments have specialist children’s staff.

6.         Improving emergency care by following national guidance, for example making sure separate operating theatres and surgical teams are available for planned surgery and emergency care.

7.         A new specialist inpatient renal centre in Surrey.   Surrey is the only major county without an inpatient unit - most patients receive their acute care from St Helier hospital in the London borough of Sutton.