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Save our St Helier
In 2003, concerns began to surface regarding the future funding of Sutton's St Helier Hospital. Considering this, Paul Burstow and Tom Brake (MP for neighbouring Carshalton and Wallington) arranged a meeting with the then with the then Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt to challenger her over the future of St Helier hospital and of other health services within the borough. In September 2003, Paul wrote to Ms Hewitt asking her to confirm that the current range of health services in Sutton would continue to be offered to all residents - Ms Hewitt was unable to provide this confirmation.
In October, the bleak news arrived that up to 480 jobs and 208 beds could be lost from the Epsom and St Helier University NHS trust. In protest of this news, the 'Save out St Helier' campaign was launched. This included the launch of a petition to save St Helier - the petition was a huge success and has since acquired over 5000 signatures. Further, a huge march was organized by Paul & Tom in conjunction with Unison to demand the continued funding of St Helier hospital. The march was a phenomenal success attracting thousands of people to the front of the hospital where Paul and Tom delivered speeches. Speaking after the march, Paul Burstow said:
"The fact that so many people turned out in today's foul weather is testament to the strength of feeling among local people."
"Our presence here in such large numbers has sent a message to Patricia Hewitt and London NHS bosses - that local people will not stand by while they close hospital beds and cut jobs."
"The fact that so many people turned out in today's foul weather is testament to the strength of feeling among local people."
"Our presence here in such large numbers has sent a message to Patricia Hewitt and London NHS bosses - that local people will not stand by while they close hospital beds and cut jobs."
Victory!
After years of continual campaigning from Paul, Tom and the people of Sutton, it was announced that St Helier Hospital would receive the £219 Million funding needed to refurbish and keep the hospital running. The funding was officially announced in Parliament on the 17th June 2010 by the Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Liberal Democrat Danny Alexander. Regarding this news, Paul Burstow stated:
"It ends the uncertainty surrounding the long overdue renewal of St Helier….We all know the Government has to make very tough decisions to sort out the public finances. These announcements show that there is a determination to protect the poor and the vulnerable."
With the new funding secured, plans have been announced that almost a third of the current site will be demolished and replaced by a new building which will house the majority of the hospital's wards and clinics. More than 50% of the 346 beds in the new buildings will be in single rooms. Among other work, nearly £40 Million will be spent refurbishing and upgrading the remained of the site, including opening a new centralized eye clinic and refurbishing wards.
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