A drastic overhaul of South Croydon's sparse hospital services to include turning Purley Hospital into a state-of-the-art outpatient service was last week given a green light by senior health minister Hazel Blears.

Ms Blears gave a public assurance in Parliament in response to a question from Croydon South Tory MP Richard Ottaway that there is an 'extremely high' likelihood of Mayday Hospital NHS Trust being allowed to go ahead with plans to develop a 'first-class out-patient and diagnostic centre' to serve local residents.

Under the plans, which are being headed by Croydon's South Primary Care Group (PCG), the current hospital site on Brighton Road widely regarded to be shabby and low grade would be bulldozed and replaced with a 15 million hospital of the future by the end of 2003.

It is highly likely the project will be part-funded with private money and through a possible deal with land owners Seeboard.

Ms Blears added: "I am aware that it has taken some time for us to achieve progress I believe that 15 authorities are involved but I am delighted to inform the honourable gentleman that he will have a rehabilitation centre, a physiotherapy gym, specialist general practitioner services, breast screening, diabetic retinopathy services, updating of X-ray equipment, and even more."

The assurance that Purley Memorial Hospital is to be transformed into a state-of-the-art centre for outpatient services has been applauded by Croydon's health bosses, politicians, and residents in the south of the borough, who had for months been patiently awaiting feedback from officials.

For more than 10 years redevelopment plans for the hospital have been shuffled apathetically on and off the drawing board, but over the last year proposals have gained momentum under the Mayday trust chairmanship of Sigurd Reinton and more recently Sue Eardley.

One important factor has been the increasing pressures faced by Mayday Hospital.

Mr Ottaway told the Croydon Guardian: "This is excellent news to have reassurance there will be no going back on this plan.

"It is absurd that for so long we have been sending outpatients living as far south as Coulsdon to Mayday a hospital which stands at the northern-most tip of the borough."

Chief executive of South PCG, Clare Phillips, said she was delighted with the feedback, and looks forward to getting more encouraging news on the likelihood of having an A&E-style minor injuries unit (MIU) on the site.

She said: "We are doing detailed needs-based evaluation work on the case for having an MIU serving the south area, and believe it could take up to 20 to 25 per cent pressure off Mayday."

Mr Ottaway said he thought MIU provision should be nearer 33 per cent, to reflect proportionally the population in the south of the borough.

A spokesman for health watchdog Croydon Community Health Council, said it was regrettable the building had become dilapidated but welcomed the proposals to redevelop the site if they are to benefit patients.

October 23, 2001 10:30