MPs call for hospital trust split

The review is considering three options for the trust

A group of MPs have called for a hospital trust which serves Surrey and South West London to be broken up.

In a letter to Samantha Jones, chairman of Epsom and St Helier University NHS Trust, seven MPs from the three main political parties supported a split.

They called for the current ongoing review of the trust to abandon the status quo and de-merge the hospitals.

The MPs called for an end to the arrangement that works "against the interest of our constituents".

The review is considering three options: the "status quo, divestment and de-merger".

Crispin Blunt, Sir Paul Beresford, Chris Grayling, Ian Taylor, Paul Burstow and Tom Brake and Siobhain McDonagh signed the joint letter.

The letter said: "As we and the management are all too aware, meeting the distinctive demands of the different communities has proved very difficult for one trust to reconcile."

Mr Blunt, MP for Reigate, said: "I am delighted that on this occasion seven MPs have put aside their party political differences and have united in the wider interest of all the people we represent.

"The review board and the management of the Trust and other local healthcare professionals can be in no doubt as to the considered views of local MPs when considering de-merger."