Government must “put social care front and centre of NHS 10 Year Plan” to end bed-blocking at Epsom Hospital, claims local Lib Dem MP

Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, Helen Maguire, believes “the NHS are powerless to end the bed-blocking crisis” without adequate places for medically fit patients to go.

Helen Maguire MP visited Epsom Hospital’s A&E department this week to see first-hand the challenges her local hospital faces. She also met with key health professionals to discuss the NHS 10 Year Plan.

According to data from Epsom & St Helier University NHS Hospitals Trust, during 2024/25, the average Length of Stay in Epsom Hospital A&E was 5 hours and 41 minutes. This extends to 9.8 days for patients admitted from Epsom A&E, and includes mental health patients who may reside in the department for some time.

Helen Maguire, expressed her concern at patients waiting in beds on corridors in Epsom’s emergency department, something NHS staff admitted is a challenge caused by a lack of space, and other pressures facing hospitals up and down the country.

Welcoming the announcement of the NHS 10 Year Plan, the Epsom & Ewell MP claims NHS Trusts like Epsom and St Helier, “need help to ease the burden on our hospitals and free up space for those who desperately need it, and insists “we cannot fix our NHS unless we fix the crisis in social care”.

Liberal Democrat MP for Epsom & Ewell, Helen Maguire, said:

“Hospitals like Epsom, in my constituency, face unimaginable pressures as a result of years of mismanagement under the previous Conservative government.

“It is right that this Labour government recognises the need to shift care from hospitals to patients’ homes. However, if they are serious about ending the bed-blocking crisis and improving patient outcomes, they should listen to the Liberal Democrats and put social care front and centre of the NHS 10 Year Plan. We cannot fix our NHS unless we fix the crisis in social care. 

“I’m proud that our local trust is already taking vital steps towards achieving this, from the home births team to the frailty unit, however Epsom and St Helier need help to ease the burden on our hospitals and free up space for those who desperately need it.

“I want to pay tribute to all of the wonderful staff at Epsom Hospital, and across the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals Trust who work tirelessly to deliver the best possible outcomes for patients under incredibly testing circumstances.”