SAVE The Royal Surrey Hospital campaigners have welcomed the proposed merger of Frimley Park and Ashford and St Peter's hospitals. A merger would ensure high quality healthcare is delivered at both hospitals through one administration. If the proposed merger proves successful, the scheme could then be extended to include the Royal Surrey County Hospital to provide a single University Trust in West Surrey. The three Trusts already share services for cancer, vascular surgery, maxillofacial surgery, ear, nose and throat and eyes in addition to pathology and radiology. Frimley Park and Ashford St Peter's have used the report issued by Professor Sir Ara Darzi into the current state of healthcare provision in London as part of the basis Ofor this merger. Professor Chris Marks, chairman of the 'Save The Royal Surrey Hospital Campaign' said: "These proposals paint a positive picture for the future of healthcare provision in West Surrey, with integrated services continuing to deliver high quality healthcare to the local population. "I look forward to seeing further proposals for the integration of services at the Royal Surrey into this process. "However, I would caution again applying the proposed solution for healthcare provision in London to Surrey. "London is the largest city in Europe with particular problems for the delivery of care and health needs. "The mixed rural and urban population of West Surrey (more than one million) requires the delivery of high quality healthcare at a local level." South West Surrey MP, Jeremy Hunt and Guildford MP, Anne Milton met with the chief executive and chairman of Surrey Primary Care Trust (PCT) on Tuesday. After the meeting Jeremy Hunt said: "I understand that the NHS cannot preserve its structure in aspic, but I would be fundamentally opposed to any changes that affected access to key services at both Frimley Park and the Royal Surrey. "The PCT management confirmed that the long- term future of the health services in Surrey would be best served by one management organisations. "If this is the case then I will be seeking urgent clarification that this would not be done at the detriment of Accident and Emergency Services in either hospital. "We are still fighting a huge battle to preserve services at the Royal Surrey, but I stand ready and willing to open up a new front in the battle if there is the slightest hint of cuts in services at Frimley."