Wimbledon MP raises alarm over relocation of women’s services at St Helier amid hospital safety concerns

Following a meeting with Matt Shaw, the new St Helier Trust CEO, Paul Kohler, Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon, has expressed deep concern about the impact the decision could have on local families and patients, while calling for urgent clarity, transparency and reassurance from NHS leaders and ministers.

The move follows confirmation from local NHS leaders that services currently housed in the St Helier Women’s Health block, including maternity, gynaecology, neonatal care, emergency gynaecology services and the Assisted Conception Unit, may need to be relocated because ageing pipework means long-term water safety in the building cannot be guaranteed. The building’s ageing infrastructure requires major works that cannot safely take place, nor be fully assessed, while services remain operational.

Mr Kohler said the announcement further underlines the urgent need to accelerate delivery of the long-promised new Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Sutton, which has recently been delayed until at least 2038.

He confirmed he would continue working with local colleagues, NHS leaders and ministers to seek urgent answers about the relocation plans, the long-term future of services at St Helier, and the timetable for the new hospital project.

Commenting, Paul Kohler MP said:

“Residents and staff have raised concerns for years about the condition of St Helier Hospital and the impact of decades of underinvestment. While I recognise this any decision to relocate will not be taken lightly, local people rightly want reassurance about the future of these vital services.

“It is especially worrying that services supporting women, mothers, babies and vulnerable patients are once again being affected by an ageing NHS estate. Staff at St Helier continue to provide outstanding care in extremely difficult conditions and deserve far better support.

“The recent announcement of investment in St Helier’s Emergency Department gave residents genuine belief that the hospital was finally beginning to get the funding it needs. This latest development makes it even more important there is full transparency about the decisions being taken and what happens next.

“We urgently need clarity on whether every option has been explored to keep services operating safely on site, what any relocation would mean for patients and staff, and how long the disruption could last.

“This also strengthens the case for accelerating the new Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Sutton. Local communities have waited far too long for modern healthcare facilities.”

ENDS