Ashford and St Peter’s confirms continued interest in Epsom

The hospital forms one half of Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, which is to separate and has invited bids to take over its two hospitals in order for them to obtain foundation status.   

The trust issued a statement following the announcement on 5 October by the Royal Surrey County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust that it will no longer be submitting a bid for Epsom, which it planned to do jointly with private provider Circle.   

Ashford and St Peter’s chief executive Andrew Liles said: “We are continuing to prepare our bid to potentially partner Epsom Hospital, and to explore the benefits such a merger could bring to Surrey patients and to staff.

“At this stage, we intend to submit our bid prior to applications closing on 11 November 2011. The final decision will ultimately be judged on a range of criteria focusing on the interests of local patients and staff,” he said.