Epsom Hospital
History
The hospital has it origins in a cottage hospital which opened with just eight beds in 1873. The current building opened as a workhouse infirmary in 1890. It was staffed by volunteers until it joined the National Health Service in 1948.
In 2011, it was revealed that the hospital was at risk of losing its accident and emergency services as part of a Better Services Better Value (BSBV) programme, which would rationalise hospital facilities across Surrey and south west London. In 2013, local MP Chris Grayling said that constituents should show their support for retaining these services at the hospital.
Epsom Hospital was in the news in August 2018 after a stray cat was found in a linen basket.
In 2019 part of the Dorking Road site was sold for £18 million to Legal & General, which set up a partnership with specialist older persons housing provider Guild Living to create an residential complex.
Services
The hospital contains an accident and emergency and a range of diagnostic and supporting services including pathology, radiology (including CT, MRI and ultrasound), the South West London Elective Orthopaedic Centre (SWLEOC) which calls itself a "centre of excellence", vascular diagnostic services and an acute psychiatric facility operated by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Radio station
The hospital has its own radio service, "Epsom Hospital Radio", which is a registered charity and is staffed by volunteers. Since 1979, its mascot has been Ruddles The Bear, which was named after a competition in the Epsom Guardian.
See also
- Epsom Cluster, a group of psychiatric hospitals near Epsom
- List of hospitals in England
References
- ^ "Our story". Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ "Epsom". Workhouses. Retrieved 8 December 2018.
- ^ Mole, Charlie (17 February 2011). "Join our campaign to protect Epsom Hospital". Epsom Guardian. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ^ "Show feeling' on Epsom Hospital, urges Surrey MP". BBC News. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2013.
- ^ "Stray cat causes infection scare at Epsom Hospital". BBC News. 21 August 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2018.
- ^ "Epsom General Hospital boss defends sale of land for £18 million". Get Surrey. 26 March 2019.
- ^ "Public inquiry over 300 homes on old Epsom Hospital land begins". Get Surrey. 17 August 2021.
- ^ "The EOC". South West Elective Orthopaedic Centre. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ "Epsom Hospital". Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
- ^ "Local Charities". Whatsoninepsom.com. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2013.
- ^ "Ruddles The Bear". Epsom Hospital Radio. Retrieved 21 October 2013.