The Scrutiny Committee of Sutton Council met on 16 April 2025 to discuss public transport, the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, and hospice provision in Sutton. The committee noted reports on each of these key areas.

Public Transport in Sutton

The committee received an update on public transport in Sutton, noting that improving access to public transport is a priority for the council's corporate plan, aiming to support climate action, inclusivity, and quality local services. While the council does not operate public transport, it actively lobbies Transport for London (TfL), bus operators, and rail companies for improvements. Recent changes include increased capacity on Route 80 with double-decker buses, rerouting of the S1 service to serve the London Cancer Hub, and the S2 route now operating seven days a week. Electric buses have also been rolled out across several routes.

However, areas such as Oaks Park and The Mount remain poorly served by public transport, with a need to ensure all areas are adequately served to encourage sustainable travel and meet growth demands. The report highlighted the impact of increased housing needs on the transport network and the potential for Grey Belt development in areas with low public transport accessibility. The council's Local Implementation Plan (LIPv3) outlines objectives for public transport to meet the needs of a growing London, be safe, affordable, and accessible, and provide pleasant, fast, and reliable journeys.

Discussions also touched upon the decline in bus trips across London, including Sutton, with potential reasons including an ageing population, stagnant incomes, and reduced high street usage. Rail usage has seen a slight increase, while car trips have decreased. TfL officers confirmed no current plans to alter the route of Superloop buses and that they collaborate with Surrey County Council on routes near the borough boundary. Concerns were raised about train cancellation rates, with reasons including driver availability due to sickness. GTR officers outlined measures to manage driver sickness and training programmes. Passenger safety was also discussed, with TfL working with the Metropolitan Police and providing funding for enhanced policing, alongside a Safer Transport team and outreach programmes. The committee noted that Carshalton Beeches remains a priority for accessibility improvements at railway stations, though current funding is limited.

Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust: Update

The Scrutiny Committee received an update on the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust (ESTH). A significant point of discussion was the delay in the construction of a new Specialist Emergency Care Hospital in Sutton, which is now unlikely to start until 2032 as part of the government's Building Your Future Hospitals Programme. In the interim, the Trust is working to mitigate potential failures in critical infrastructure and seeking funding to improve the existing estate at Epsom and St Helier hospitals. The committee acknowledged the urgent need for a new hospital, given the current state of facilities at St Helier Hospital.

The report also covered the Trust's financial and performance updates, noting a challenging financial environment with an expected deficit of £51.8m at year-end. Performance against national service standards was discussed, with the Trust performing above the national target for theatre utilisation but slightly below the four-hour standard in Emergency Departments due to waits and ambulance handovers. Cancer performance standards were met in December 2024.

The committee was informed about the rising incidents of violence and aggression towards hospital staff, which has increased significantly in recent years. The Trust is developing a plan to address this, including enhanced security and clinical staff training. Updates on maternity services were also provided, highlighting improvements made in response to a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection, with positive feedback from mothers and birthing people in the CQC Maternity Patient Experience Survey. The Trust has achieved Gold status in the Unicef UK Baby Friendly Initiative.

Hospice Provision in Sutton

The committee received an update on hospice provision in Sutton from NHS South West London Integrated Care Board (ICB). It was explained that palliative care services are available through various means, with hospices being one crucial component. The importance of planning end-of-life care was stressed to ensure patients can access the most appropriate care, with most people expressing a preference not to die in hospital.

The report detailed that there are four hospices providing specialist palliative care in South West London, including St Raphael's Hospice in Sutton. These hospices are funded through a combination of NHS funding, charitable donations, and fundraising. In 2024/25, St Raphael's Hospice received £1.834m from the SWL ICB, including a 10% uplift. The government has announced a funding boost for hospices, with St Raphael's Hospice receiving £131,769 from the first tranche of this additional funding.

Commissioning and contract management responsibilities for the four hospices sit within Place-based teams. Discussions also covered the potential impact of changes to NHS structures on ICBs and the future role and funding of Neighbourhood Services. The committee noted the financial pressures faced by hospices, exacerbated by rising employer National Insurance contributions. It was clarified that the cessation of the Hospice at Home service by St Raphael's was their decision, and the ICB is working with them to develop a range of palliative care services. The committee acknowledged the vital role of hospices as part of a wider network of palliative care services.