St Helier Hospital has secured a major £57 million investment for an A&E expansion after inspectors found the department routinely operates at more than ten times its intended capacity. The Sutton hospital's emergency department cares for up to 250 patients daily despite being designed for just 24.
Funding and CQC downgrade coincide
The funding announcement came on the same day the Care Quality Commission (CQC) downgraded the hospital's overall rating from 'Good' to 'Requires Improvement', citing concerns about patient care and significant overcrowding leading to corridor care. Hospital leaders hope the expansion will cut waiting times and improve care, with construction expected to begin in spring 2027.
CQC findings highlight dire conditions
In its report published on June 11, CQC inspectors said the hospital's urgent and emergency care services were particularly affected by capacity pressures. Between June and November 2025, patients spent an average of nearly 25 hours in the emergency department, with one mental health patient waiting up to 160 hours in a recliner chair before transfer.
Inspectors described how patients were often placed on trolleys in corridors leading to fire exits, creating safety risks during evacuation. A shortage of inpatient beds led to some patients using urine bottles behind inadequate screens, while confidential medical conversations could be easily overheard.
Corridor care crisis
Recent NHS data ranked the Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals Trust among the worst for corridor care in England and Wales. The £57 million investment from NHS London aims to tackle this by expanding and modernising St Helier's emergency department, including a larger facility, upgraded clinical spaces, a new Urgent Treatment Centre, and enhanced Same Day Emergency Care services.
Political reaction
Liberal Democrat MP Bobby Dean, who represents Carshalton and Wallington, called the funding "great news" and said it would help end corridor care. He added: "St Helier Hospital has been overwhelmed for far too long" and pledged to keep pressure on for swift construction.
Dr Amir Hassan, Divisional Medical Director for Medicine and ED Consultant, described the investment as significant and welcome, reflecting growing demand and staff efforts despite an ageing, overcrowded environment. The project requires further approvals, with phased construction possible from spring 2027.
Broader CQC concerns
The CQC also assessed Queen Mary's Hospital for Children on the same site. Inspectors raised concerns about the ageing hospital estate, noting that St Helier's main building was constructed in 1940, older than the NHS itself. Issues included cluttered operating theatres, infection risks from shared routes between clean and contaminated areas, temperature control problems, and pests in the maternity wing.
Delayed patient discharges remained a major challenge, with medically fit patients waiting for social care support. One elderly care ward had nearly a third of patients fit for discharge but unable to leave. The hospital's discharge lounge was often empty despite extreme bed pressures elsewhere.
Inspectors cited isolated incidents of staff bullying and discriminatory behaviour in surgical services, leading to a 'Requires Improvement' rating for leadership in that area.
Maternity care improvements
Despite challenges, the CQC rated the hospital 'Good' for being effective, caring, and responsive. Maternity care regained its 'Good' rating after previous downgrading, thanks to a transitional care model that reduced neonatal admissions, improved triage processes, and upgraded bereavement facilities with separate entrances and soundproofing.
Patients frequently described care from doctors and nurses as exceptional, with staff demonstrating empathy and compassion. Inspectors praised the trust's work with community partners to improve patient flow.
Alex Shaw, Interim Managing Director for Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "We are pleased that the CQC's overall rating reflects our safe and compassionate care and are very proud of our maternity teams." He added that the trust is addressing areas needing improvement, including directing more patients to the Urgent Treatment Centre, which is already reducing corridor care and length of stay.
