Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andy Burnham has vowed to rebuild St Helier Hospital on its current site if Labour wins the general election.
His pledge was made after the prospect of a replacement ‘super hospital’ in Sutton emerged two weeks ago when consultants were overheard on a train discussing a replacement facility.
The consultants said that replacement facility could be built on the St Helier or Epsom Hospital site – or the preferred option of the old Sutton Hospital site.
Mr Burnham said: “In the interests of patients, staff and the local community St Helier Hospital now needs security.”
He explained that if he is Secretary of State for Health after the election he will veto plans from a new consultation and use the funds, already allocated for the upgrading of the hospital to be spent.
The Labour candidate for Leigh said: “I am really concerned to find out that there is yet another consultation being conducted on the future of St Helier Hospital.
“There have already been endless consultations costing the NHS millions of pounds, money which would have been better spent on patient care.
“All of these consultations have reached exactly the same answer – that St Helier should stay open on its current site.”
Picture courtesy of Labour Party, with thanks
