AMBULANCES will take Waverley residents with suspected strokes to Frimley Park Hospital instead of Guildford’s Royal Surrey County Hospital under new healthcare proposals out to public consultation.

The plans have caused concerns locally and protestors are urging as many people as possible to attend a public meeting held by NHS Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) at Haslemere Hall, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, March 28.

Haslemere Hospital League of Friends (LoF) committee member and town borough councillor Robert Knowles said: “We are very concerned hospital services seem to be centred on North West Surrey, with stroke services likely to be at two remote sites in Ottershaw and Frimley, with no service between St Peter’s, and Portsmouth.

“While the M3 corridor is well provided for. There is no equality of service whatsoever. The time between suffering a stroke and vital medical attention is all important, and the removal of stroke services at Royal Surrey, mean longer travel times and often a long wait for an ambulance in the Haslemere area, which is a major concern to the League of Friends.”

LoF chairman Rose Parry said: “I urge people to attend the meeting and put their views forward.”

A CCG spokesman said: “This is an opportunity for the public to come and hear about the proposals for stroke and share their views.

“Feedback will be used to help shape the future for stroke care in West Surrey.”

The public consultation runs until Sunday, April 30. Find out more on how to make your views known by going to www. guildfordandwaverleyccg.nhs.uk