Plans to transfer some of the services from the Sutton Hospital site to Epsom and St Helier hospitals has been given the green light by the Trust Board and Sutton Clinical Commissioning Group.

The changes will improve the services offered to patients and improve the working environment for staff, while also helping the Trust to balance the books.

The trust aim to move the services with as little disruption to patients as possible and around three quarters of patients will have a similar journey or will benefit from a shorter journey following the changes.

An extra £4.5million will assist with the moving of the services into upgraded facilities at both hospitals.

Chief Operating Officer, Jackie Sullivan, said: "This is excellent news for our patients and staff as it will allow us to maintain the full range of clinical services we currently provide, invest in better quality surroundings at St Helier and Epsom, and for many people, provide care closer to where they live."

It is planned to stage the moves over a six month period from February to August next year.

Dr Brendan Hudson, Chair of Sutton CCG said: “We have worked closely with the Trust to ensure that these moves will benefit patients with an improved healthcare environment and, for a number of people, care closer to home.

"The service move will bring together a comprehensive eye clinic and casualty at St Helier Hospital while retaining the very busy blood taking clinic at Sutton Hospital."