A facial palsy patient has told Susy Radio she fears she will have to go elsewhere for treatment if Queen Victoria Hospital merges with two other trusts.

The East Grinstead hospital is considering joining with Brighton and Sussex University hospitals and Western Sussex Hospitals. It says being part of a larger organisation could lead to better utilisation and use of technology.

However, some staff and patients are concerned there could be a loss of services locally if the plans go ahead.

Claire White has been a patient with the Facial Palsy team for the past three years: “The list is endless how complex this problem can be for patients and I don’t see where we could go as a one stop shop after this point. It’s quite a daunting thought and mentally challenging for many people who rely on that support to keep them going and see improvements.”

Retired maxillofacial surgeon Andrew Brown said: “They’ve got to have a good reason behind them to improve the patient service and there’s a great concern by many of us, and many of the staff at the hospital, that that is not really at the forefront – that they’re being driven, as so often, by financial aspects.”

Speaking of the plans, Queen Victoria Hospital said being part of a larger organisation could “lead to better utilisation of clinics and theatres and greater use of technology”.

“In the future, working with these other hospitals could also help us to make changes to services for the benefit of patients,” it added.

A merger would require the support of the trust’s governors, as well as national approvals.

You can find out Queen Victoria Hospital’s plans here.

If you have news for Sussex and Surrey, contact us on news@susyradio.com