NHS Surrey recently announced major proposals for the county's community hospitals that included offering enhanced services at Caterham Dene Hospital.

The Dene, along with hospitals in Woking, Farnham and Haslemere would offer 24/7 consultant led in-patient care; urgent treatment centres; point of care testing; rapid assessment and diagnostics; integration with social care and an ambulance destination for non life-threatening conditions.

Anne Walker, Chief Executive of NHS Surrey, said: "There is no doubt that the NHS in Surrey needs to change radically and these proposals can deliver a better NHS for patients and a sustainable NHS for taxpayers.

The debate about them starts now. No decisions have been made and I hope we can have a real diaalogue with Surrey people."

Commenting on NHS Surrey’s proposals, East Surrey MP, Sam Gyimah said: "It is clear that urgent action needs to be taken by NHS Surrey to bring the huge deficit under control and I welcome the Board’s decision to ensure that cost-cutting measures do not undermine patient care.

I will work to make sure that this remains the case as it is of paramount importance to me.

"I spoke to Anne Walker, Chief Executive of NHS Surrey about her plans in detail and welcome the decision to consider Caterham Dene as an enhanced NHS hub. I look forward to working with her on the details".