Today, I met with James Blythe, Director of Commissioning and Strategy at Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), and Dr Jill Evans, the Clinical Lead, to discuss the CCG’s recent report following their review of community hospitals in Elmbridge.
Local leaders contributed to the review, including local councillors, GPs and Dr Ian Coxon, the Chair of the Guild of Friends at Molesey Hospital. The report recommends that Molesey Hospital should stay open, and the community beds stay in the hospital rather than be moved to Cobham or elsewhere.
Just as importantly, the CCG will now speak with NHS Property Services to look at the scope for opening a clinic with a redeveloped GP surgery on the Molesey site, to improve and expand the range of local NHS services offered.
The recommendation to keep the community beds at Molesey Hospital is important news for the local community. Developing local services will ensure that healthcare is provided closer to home for the most vulnerable in our community. I will continue to work with the CCG as they look to deliver on this strategy.