2nd Letter to the Chair of JHOSC: Frimley Park Hospital Rebuild (Site Selection Process)

Please see the letter below.

Dr Al Pinkerton MP has written to Cllr Trefor Hogg, Chair of the Joint Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee for Frimley Park Hospital, seeking answers about the scrutiny of the proposed hospital relocation.

Al fully supports rebuilding Frimley Park Hospital urgently because of the widespread presence of RAAC. However, he remains deeply concerned that the conclusion of “no negative impact on access” was endorsed before the detailed transport and access assessment had been undertaken.

Several JHOSC members have told Al that they were unaware of relevant briefings and discussions involving the Chair, Vice-Chair and Frimley Health executives. This raises questions about whether the position communicated to the NHS was endorsed by the full cross-party committee.

The Trust’s published report also shows that the Frimley Fuel Allotments ranked third in the initial four-site unweighted technical assessment and did not place first in any category, before becoming the sole preferred option.

Key questions:

• What evidence supported the conclusion of “no negative impact on access”?
• Which affected organisations and communities had been consulted?
• What was known about the required infrastructure, cost and funding?
• How did the third-ranked site become the sole preferred option?
• Did the full JHOSC endorse the position communicated to the NHS?

Al wants the new hospital delivered as urgently as possible. Resolving these questions is essential to avoid greater delays and costs and restore confidence in the scrutiny process.

Please see the letter below.