Epsom urged to reignite talks with Ashford and St Peter's hospitals (From This Is Local London)

Epsom urged to reignite talks with Ashford and St Peter's hospitals

7:50am Sunday 3rd February 2013 in News By Tom Ambrose

Epsom Hospital has been urged to resume talks with Ashford and St Peter’s hospitals after plans for a potential merger broke down this week.

Surrey County Council’s health scrutiny committee was critical of both parties and voiced concerns about the process that led to the decision.

Committee chairman Nick Skellett said he was disappointed conflicting interests prevented plans from progressing.

He said: “There seemed to be a successful merger coming together which was only from being signed when it just seemed to unravel.

“It did appear differing interests each side of the London-Surrey boundary largely contributed to the failure.”

He also blamed conflicting plans over Epsom’s elective orthopaedic centre as well as the decision-making process.

Mr Skellett added: “It seems the process was flawed – the important thing is to get them talking again and see what can be done.”