A disputed remark by a doctor at the end of a meeting about proposals to radically alter health services has sparked outrage among some residents.

Better Services, Better Value (BSBV) held the meeting last Wednesday to let patients and residents air their opinions on a review that could recommend Epsom Hospital loses its A&E and maternity departments.

The remark came at the end when Dr Paul Alford, co-chair of the BSBV working group for children’s services, went up to give a goodbye speech at Bourne Hall in Spring Street, Ewell.

As he crossed the hall to pick up the microphone he made a remark to someone sitting at one of the discussion tables.

Di James told the Epsom Guardian: "We heard him say ‘Thank God they are all going’.

"We went to challenge him about it. But he just said ‘I’m sorry, it was only tongue in check.’"

Ms James said she was shocked by the comment, adding: "We thought how belittling can you be."

Another woman at the meeting, who insisted on remaining anonymous, said she also overhead Dr Alford and got the impression he did not really want them there.

She said: "It just proves how they really have no idea. They are just contemptuous of everybody. They are going to push this through whatever everybody wants."

But Dr Alford denied this version of events when contacted last week.

A BSBV spokeswoman said: "Firstly he was incredibly upset about it because he is a devout Christian and would never have blasphemed. It’s completely taken out of context."

She said Dr Alford actually said ‘that’s good everybody is leaving now’ because it was his job to wrap-up the session and it appeared as though discussions were already finishing off.

She said: "He was happy that it was coming to a natural conclusion and that he would not be interrupting everybody.

"He thought it was a good session and was really glad everybody came. He was so positive about the session."