HUNDREDS of people flocked to the University of Surrey lst Thursday to make their voices heard over the potential closure of the A&E department at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. Concern is mounting in Haslemere after it emerged the A&E department at St Richard's Hospital, in Chichester, could also face the axe. The news comes as a double blow to residents, councillors and Haslemere's League of Friends who are concerned over the devastating effects such closures would mean for Haslemere. The meeting was organised by Jeremy Hunt, MP for south-west Surrey, and Guildford's MP, Anne Milton. Royal Surrey chief executive Nick Moberley attended alongside Nick Yeo, who is chief executive of the North Surrey Primary Care Trust and the transition chief executive of the new Surrey-wide PCT. Some heated exchanges were witnessed between the pair and some members of the public who felt very strongly about the threats. Speaking after the meeting, Jeremy Hunt said: "Once again we are facing another box ticking "consultation" in which the NHS appears to listen, but actually carries on cutting services regardless of what local people say. "To lose accident and emergency services at the Royal Surrey would be the first step in closing down the hospital altogether and would be devastating for our area. What sort of service is it if you take up to an hour to get to hospital in an emergency?" The League of Friends of Haslemere Hospital also met with a representative of the Surrey and Sussex SHA at Haslemere Town Hall last Monday to discuss plans for the future of the NHS in Surrey and Sussex. There is concern among the group that if Haslemere's closest A&E facilities face the axe, then Haslemere locals in need of urgent medical help will be left high and dry. League spokesman Robert Knowles said, "If the A&E at the Royal Surrey and St Richard's Chichester were to close, as is suggested, the next emergency hospital in a line south of Chertsey would be in Le Havre, northern France. That cannot be right." The league is concerned that the discussion document, "Creating an NHS fit for the future", neglects the Haslemere area, with the new Surrey-wide PCT concentrating services on the north of the county. The league highlighted the poor service offered recently by the South Coast Ambulance service. This response time added to a journey to Chertsey or Frimley if the A&E at Royal Surrey was closed was unacceptable and would lead to deaths. The SHA submission that there was over- provision of community hospitals was challenged, and the lack of facilities in the south of the county was discussed. The provision of some 100 community beds in Ashford, Middlesex and Walton on Thames was considered not to be equality of service. Chairman Dr Nicky Lee said, "In west Surrey there are five acute hospitals north of the Downs at Guildford, Frimley, Chertsey, Epsom and Ashford. There are none south of the Hogs Back. It seems that the south of the county is forgotten by the NHS, with most officials based in north Surrey. There is an efficient community hospital at Haslemere and it is vital it is retained and the imbalance in west Surrey should be addressed." South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt said: "The people of Haslemere would be facing a potential crisis if St Richard's and the Royal Surrey both lost their A&E departments. "This threat is real and imminent. The NHS seems to be about to embark on the double madness of closing both St Richard's and Royal Surrey. We must make our voices heard urgently to ensure Haslemere is not left in the lurch when it comes to emergency care. "St Richard's is a vital part of the emergency mix for Haslemere and has done a brilliant job helping many residents. Unbelievably, despite this, we are going to have a fight on our hands if it is to stay that way." Mr Hunt is working closely with Andrew Tyrie, MP for Chichester, to ensure the decision made at the end of July does not see St Richard's downsized. Mr Hunt, said: "We want to make sure that St Richard's remains a major acute hospital which is able to serve the people of Haslemere and the surrounding area for many generations to come." To express your views on the St Richard's proposal, write to the Strategic Health Authority, York House, 18-20 Massetts Road, Horley, Surrey RH6 7DE.
