I very much share residents’ concerns about the decision, recently announced by the NHS, to permanently reduce the hours at the Urgent Treatment Centre at Crawley Hospital.
Crawley Borough Council were informed (not consulted) when the hours were originally reduced in May 2024 in a “pilot” introduced under the last Conservative Government. This was very shortly before implementation. Concerns were raised, but it was clearly stated that there was no option due to the availability of staffing.
It was a concern to the council that a matter decided on health and safety grounds might become permanent. We were promised the impact of the reduced hours would be monitored.
We were not informed or consulted on this latest position prior to the announcement, nor were we sighted on any data compiled.
Crawley due to its population size, geography and general difficulties in reaching alternative provision at East Surrey Hospital has always required 24-hour provision. Indeed, this was a concession made back when the original changes took place two decades ago.
It is my view that too often the people of Crawley are coming out second best with decisions being made by the local NHS trust. This has to stop.
I am incensed at this clearly financial decision being made at the same time as a newly built Urgent Treatment Centre at East Surrey Hospital in Redhill is being announced at a cost of £8.6 million.
Apparently there’s enough money to spend on a new extension there which won’t be ready until late 2027, but not enough to restore a service easier for the public in Crawley to reach. The NHS should unquestionably be prioritising its resourcing on existing facilities before duplicating provision elsewhere.
The Diagnostics Centre at Crawley Hospital was created precisely because of the recognition of the high number of Crawley based patients missing their appointments at East Surrey. To say this is not joined up thinking is an understatement.
The practical impact is too many local people without transport are being forced either to pay for public transport they can barely afford, or to suffer until they fit in with the hours the Crawley UTC is open.
Like with too much with the NHS in the past decade, it looks like it is all about the convenience of the administrators and not about the patients.
The pendulum needs to start swinging back in the other direction.
To this end, I have written a letter to the Chair of the Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust, Giles York, requesting an urgent meeting and an invitation to join me on a journey from the centre of Crawley to access services at East Surrey Hospital by public transport, to understand the constraints.
Cllr Michael Jones
Leader, Crawley Borough Council