Council leader tells NHS chiefs to end the uncertainty over Putney Hospital

NHS Wandsworth was expected to announce today (Wednesday) that the proposed redevelopment, including new facilities for three Putney GP practices, had been abandoned.

Instead local residents at a public meeting were told that a final decision would not now be made before September.

The council gave planning approval for the scheme in 2006. Formal permission is still dependent on finalising conditions of a legal agreement attached to the development. This sets out details of the new health facilities and release of commons land providing access to the site.

Cllr Lister said that local GPs had been relying on the new development to provide accommodation for their practices.

He said: “This whole saga has been a scandalous waste of millions of pounds of public money. It looks like this latest delay is being driven by a London-wide NHS cash crisis.”

“The NHS has admitted that if the site could not be developed it would be sold with the proceeds going to the Chancellor. We need to know exactly what the future holds for the patients relying on those  Putney GP practices that were promised a home in the new development. “

“I am meeting the chairman and chief executive of the local NHS on Monday. I will be demanding assurances that no final decision on the site will be made without a clear plan for providing these much needed health facilities.”

“The council will be keen to demonstrate ways in which this site could still be redeveloped to provide the local health facilities this part of Putney needs. I will also want to know how anyone can justify giving up the site and the loss of all this money which could be spent on health services in Wandsworth.”

Edward Lister
elister@wandsworth.gov.uk

June 5, 2009

Edward Lister is the Leader of Wandsworth Council and a member for Putney's Thamesfield ward.