I recently met via Teams with the Chief Executive and the Chair of the Queen Victoria Hospital, East Grinstead to discuss how it continues to provide its highly regarded services from its existing footprint - and in particular its discussions with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.
Whilst the hospital is outside of my constituency it provides vital support and services over a wide area.
I was reassured that the Hospital’s fundamental focus is on how they continue to provide the very best healthcare to local people and maintain their international reputation over the long term.
Every part of the NHS needs to consider on an ongoing basis how best to manage themselves to support the frontline and provide patient care.
QVH is the second smallest NHS Trust in the country. That in itself is not a problem but it’s understandable that they should be alert to opportunities that could reinforce services and focus expenditure where its most needed - on patients.
With this in mind QVH are, in consultation with University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. coming up with a business plan as to what improvements could be generated for patients if they were to merge.
This remains early days and the work will be ongoing over the next 14 months. The results will be made public before any decision is taken and any such proposal would be closely scrutinised. Such discussions may produce good ideas as to how to strengthen and enhance services and the final decision should only be taken on the basis of how it will enhance services for patents and the long term future of the Hospital.