Patients of the Cranleigh GP Practice received the following letter yesterday. We have redacted the patient’s name to guard their privacy. 

Dear Mr & Mrs X,
Recently, we have received an unprecedented number of requests for urgent care. We have been working tirelessly to meet demand, but regrettably, we are now in a position where we can no longer safely continue & have reached capacity for today. Your safety is our highest priority & we are unable to see or speak to any more patients without compromising this. Should you require urgent care call 111, visit a minor injuries unit or go to A&E. If your query is of a non-urgent nature, we would request that you try again tomorrow. We know this will impact your access to care & appreciate your support.

The recipients have sent this letter to the Leader of Waverley Borough  Council. Saying;

“It is so important that these incidents are reported. I have said that we are 10-12 miles away from any urgent care here in Cranleigh.”

Will Waverley Patients soon be off to Ashford Hospital in Middlesex for their care? 

Ashford Hospital is situated on the A30 west of London, close to junction 13 of the M25 and Heathrow Airport.

There was some very worrying news revealed to Waverley’s Full Council last week following a question from Councillor Robert Knowles, who asked:

“Has this council been consulted or informed of the decision by Surrey Heartlands with the support of the Royal Surrey Hospital to create an elected surgery Hub for the whole of Surrey at Ashford Hospital In Middlesex?

The location just outside the London Borough of Hounslow with no transport connections to most of Surrey.

If not, does this council have any confidence in Surrey Heartlands – as this shows a lack of concern for residents of the south of the county.”

Worrying or what!

The Surrey Heartlands area extends from Farnham and Haslemere in the west of Waverley to Alfold on the Surrey/Sussex border and the boundary with Mole Valley in Ewhurst.

WW understands from information provided by a Cranleigh councillor that Surrey Heartlands want to make Ashford Hospital the centre for elective surgery and eye operations!

Kika Mirylees Waverley’s Portfolio Holder for Health and Communities, said the Executive said:

The Executive is extremely concerned but a lack of consultation on matters like this is not unusual.

The Leader of the Council will be writing to the organisation, calling for a re-evaluation of the proposal to ensure the Waverley residents were not disadvantaged. 

 What is ahead of us all here in Waverley?