Delays to upgrades 'threaten the future' of busy hospital

A&E services at St Helier Hospital are facing unprecedented pressure says the local MP, with more than 2,000 patients waiting more than 12 hours for hospital beds this past winter.

- By HARRISON GALLIVEN Local democracy reporter

Bobby Dean MP believes the Sutton hospital has reached a "breaking point" as the trust has been named one of the worst-performing NHS trusts in London in terms of A&E wait times.

Research commissioned by the Liberal Democrats revealed that more than 34 per cent of patients had to wait more than 12 hours to receive a hospital bed at Epsom and St Helier Trust.

Carshalton and Wallington MP Mr Dean slammed the delays, pointing out that the trust's infrastructure is struggling under the pressure of outdated facilities.

He said: "Delays to the promised St Helier upgrades directly threaten the future of our hospital and leave patients and NHS staff paying the price. The queues to get emergency treatment are spiralling across the country, but the poor state of our buildings is making the situation even worse."

In 2019, the then-Boris Johnson-led government promised £500 million for Sutton as part of the nationwide New Hospital Programme (NHP).