Since I was first elected in 2019, Weybridge residents have made clear to me that the rebuild and return of permanent healthcare facilities is their number one priority, following the fire in 2017.
The Weybridge Health Centre project is a joint endeavour between Surrey County Council (SCC) and NHS Surrey Heartlands, in partnership with Elmbridge Borough Council. Residents will know there have been several rounds of local consultation and various plans for the site, and regeneration of Weybridge more generally, discussed. The project is incredibly complicated, with a range of issues and challenges including land ownership, finance and planning. I have worked on behalf of residents to support the project and I delighted that following consultation plans have been agreed which will be submitted to Elmbridge Council for approval
I have created this webpage to keep residents up to date with the latest information available throughout this process.
My priorities
I understand the frustration over the delays in this project. It is not acceptable that years after the fire residents are still waiting for health services to be restored. While it is not in my remit to manage and deliver this project, I will continue to raise residents’ concerns to all the key organisations to help drive this forward, raising issues and barriers to the Government as needed. I have worked with all stakeholders since first elected and will continue to press for this to be delivered as quickly as possible. Quite simply, my priorities are:
- Get it built! We need to ensure the return of permanent health services in Weybridge as soon as possible. This should be the priority and first action within the project.
- Same day access to health services. It is not possible to replace the walk in centre that existed previously as the NHS is no longer operating these centres in the same way. While I agree we should not be encouraging sick patients to wait around for hours in close proximity to others, we must also ensure everyone can receive same day services and support.
- Resident engagement. The Wey Better Weybridge project seeks to deliver more than just new health services, but also much broader improvements for the town. It is vital that residents are involved throughout this process to ensure it reflects their needs and wishes.
- Clear and regular communication. Since 2019 the most common concern I hear is lack of information regarding what is happening to rebuild the health centre. Clear communication is vital and along with regular updates from Surrey County Council I will also ensure this page is kept up to date with developments.
Background
As residents will know, the former community hospital, which housed two GP surgeries, a walk-in centre and additional services burnt down in July 2017.
Decisions regarding a new healthcare facility and the future services available were delayed due to a review of hospital services across North West Surrey, known as the Big Picture Programme. The aim of the review was to standardise services available at walk-in and minor injury units across the area, under new standards for Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs). In a letter published in May 2019 the NHS set out a number of options for the location of future UTCs, however the majority of these options would not have seen a UTC located on the Weybridge site. At this time no decisions had been made, and final decisions were expected to be made by the end of 2019.
The letter also stated that £100k of funding had been approved to move forward on work, in partnership with SCC and EBC, to develop a common master plan for Weybridge. A copy of this letter is available via the Weybridge Society website here.
This work, including public engagement exercises, was undertaken in partnership with WellNorth Enterprises.
WeyBetter Weybridge - update
The current project has been renamed WeyBetter Weybridge and the project has continued to progress despite the pandemic, building on previous work.
- On 1 December 2021 I was pleased to be able to attend a walk-around of the site where the project team outlined the progress they had made, although I made clear that I felt there was a need for greater engagement and communication with the wider public regarding the plans. There were still a number of complex issues to resolve, such as land ownership and financing between partner organisations, and the complex issues around planning to prepare for.
- In spring of 2022, as part of my efforts to drive this project forwards, I committed to host a public meeting regarding the site and project . At the request of Elmbridge Borough Council this was postponed until after the local elections, and following discussions with the Project Team I was delighted that they agreed to run this event and host an afternoon drop-in session on 20th May for the community to view the plans. It was a pleasure to attend the meeting and see so many people from Weybridge and beyond attend.
- This was followed by further public consultation, and in May 23 the project team held a further engagement event at Weybridge Library to show the final plans which will shortly be submitted to Elmbridge Council for approval. This has already been through a pre-planning process, and while the planning process is rightly independent, I hope it will be approved and that work can commence before long.
- While this work on the detailed plans has been ongoing, one issue which arose was the need to agree full funding for the project. Following several meetings with Ministers, and having written to the Health Secretary requesting his support in ensuring funds and resources are identified.
- I also held a debate in Parliament in November 2022 to press for Ministerial support in securing funding, and delivering the project as a whole. A copy of my letter to the Secretary of State can be viewed below, and my speech in Parliament can be viewed here.
- In January 2023 I again met with the project team and received an update on progress made. I am delighted that, following input from stakeholders, the outline designs had been drawn up and decisions on the services to be provided and overall layout of the new site had received broad agreement. This includes new and improved GP services, diagnostics, and community services, including a mental health hub.
- Following further public engagement it May, it was great to view the plans for the facilities and proposed layout of the new health centre. During public consultation plans were also published for a number of road changes around the area. Several of these faced significant opposition, and the team analysed the responses given and committed to amending the scheme plans as a result.
- I also met with Health Minister Lord Markham to discuss progress on the project and, specifically, the need to ensure funding and decisions around procurement could be agreed so the health centre can be built as soon as planning has been agreed. I was pleased by the strength of support evident from the Minister and his team.
I was delighted that clear progress was made and another key milestone reached last autumn in the work to rebuild health facilities in Weybridge. The outline business case was submitted to the Department of Health and Social Care on 5 September. This marked agreement between the local partners on the project plan, and most importantly, the funding.
The project team have shared the designs for the site in a series of public engagement meetings. Plans had been expected to be submitted to Elmbridge Borough Council at the start of the year and I have actively pursued updates to keep everyone informed and in April met with health Minister Lord Markham and representatives from the ICB and NHS property.
It was reassuring to learn that the Department of Health has identified no issues or delays with the project itself and is prepared to proceed swiftly once planning permission is granted. However, ICB has indicated that cost pressures have contributed to these delays. Nonetheless, they are committed to submitting the published designs for planning by this summer. I share the community’s frustration over these delays and am dedicated to ensuring that there are no further setbacks.
To support transparency and consistent communication, I have also requested regular written updates from the project team, which I will share with you to ensure that all residents have clear and frequent information on the progress of this vital project.
