Potential partners for Epsom and St Helier will be invited to bid at end of June

NHS Surrey said in May board papers that an Epsom Transaction Programme Board had been established four months ago to oversee the selection of recommended partners for Epsom Hospital and St Helier Hospital, as it seeks a merger in order to attain foundation trust status.

A report from chief executive Anne Walker said: “The board has agreed that there will be an NHS contested process open to NHS Trusts and Foundation Trusts for them to express an interest in being selected as a partner for Epsom Hospital and St Helier Hospital.”

She added: “The key date is the invitation to tender on the 28 June which will eventually lead to identification of the preferred partner for Epsom by the end of October.”