Fears Croydon University Hospital would lose its Accident and Emergency (A&E) and maternity department have been allayed this evening, after it was recommended St Helier Hospital in Sutton should be the one to face the cuts.

As part of the NHS Better Services Better Value (BSBV) review Croydon University, St Helier and Kingston hospital faced losing two crucial departments.

A panel of 60 people, including representatives from each hospital trust, local authority members and community representatives met this afternoon, to score each hospital on a variety of criteria.

These included clinical outcomes and safety, patient experience, workforce development, access to services, deliverability, and travel and transport.

It was recommended the A&E and maternity department at St Helier should be closed.

It is believed St Helier Hospital will host a new planned surgery centre and provide a range of other services.