Crispin Blunt

Conservative Party | Reigate

Crispin Blunt calls for better healthcare in BansteadA “polyclinic” is the answer says local MP

Crispin Blunt, Member of Parliament for Reigate, has today written to Chris Butler, Chief Executive of Surrey Primary Care Trust asking him to develop plans for a polyclinic in Banstead. This follows the publication of Sir Ara Darzi’s report into London’s health service which advocates a new model of healthcare including larger polyclinics serving the local community. Such clinics would be equipped with X-ray ultrasound machines allowing consultants to run outpatient clinics closer to patients’ homes. In the light of concerns about cuts in local secondary healthcare services Mr Blunt believes that a gap in provision for constituents in the north of the borough of Reigate and Banstead has opened up.

Speaking earlier today Crispin Blunt said:

“With real fears over pending decisions on the future of Epsom Hospital and the future hospital at either Sutton or St Helier, there is a clear need for better primary care services at Banstead. The Longcroft Clinic needs to be relocated in a purpose built centre, ideally at the Horseshoe in Banstead. A new GPs surgery there could easily combine with other services to form a polyclinic offering facilities which are being cut back elsewhere. The Longcroft Clinic is currently unable to cater to the needs of local people and this pressure will only increase if projected cuts are made at Epsom. The facilities at The Longcroft are simply too constrained. A new polyclinic in Banstead could house both a GPs’ surgery and other facilities to better serve the community.”