On behalf of the residents and staff that rely on both of the hospitals run by Epsom and St Helier NHS Trust, I would like to thank Alice Foster for her report on the annual meeting held at St Helier Hospital on the 15th of September (Hospitals out to balance books, September 18).

Ms. Foster stated that less than 50 people attended this meeting. This figure included at least 10 board members together with a number of councillors from Merton and Sutton and at least one MP.  I was very disappointed with the very low attendance and wonder why more members of the public did not attend this very important meeting. 

Please let the hospital and or this paper know your reasons for not attending.

Every year the annual meeting is held in September and next year it will be held at Epsom Hospital.  If you are interested in attending the 2015 meeting make a note in your diary now to check the hospital website on the 1st of September 2015 for details of when and where the meeting will be held.

In her report on the meeting Ms. Foster stated "Later when asked if St Helier Hospital would close  Mr Newman said "The easy answer is no." He went on to say "Having said that all of healthcare in London is being looked at and who knows what will come of that"  and he continued by saying "As we sit here today we can say hand on heart (St Helier) is not going to close"! 

While the questioner specifically asked about St Helier Hospital, it would have been appropriate perhaps, for Laurence Newman, chairman of the hospital board, to say that the hospital consists of two main hospitals, St Helier and Epsom, and these are considered in the eyes of the board of directors as one hospital and "hand on heart" neither hospital is going to close. 

Thank you once again to all the staff for all their efforts!

Bob Mackison

via email