Runnymede Alliance champions Lib Dem commitment to NHS with £3.2 million hospital boost

The Runnymede Council Alliance has secured a major £3.2 million investment in vital healthcare services at St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey, bringing life-saving improvements to cardiac care and neonatal intensive care for families across our community.

The investment has been allocated from Community Infrastructure Levy funding, which is  money collected from local planning charges to offset development impact.

The funding package includes £2.9 million to upgrade the Cardiac Catheter Lab, which will allow more complex and minimally invasive heart procedures to be carried out more quickly and safely. Additionally, £296,000 will modernise the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the only Level 3 neonatal facility in Surrey, providing specialist care for some of the smallest and most vulnerable babies from across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.  

Don Whyte, co-Leader of Runnymede Borough Council, emphasised that this investment comes at the moments when families need the NHS most. The funding for cardiac care will increase capacity and enhance life-saving treatment for people in Runnymede and across the wider community, whilst the neonatal unit modernisation will strengthen care for the most vulnerable babies, ensuring local people receive world-class treatment when they need it most.

This investment exemplifies Liberal Democrat values in action. Our party has consistently championed the need to fix crumbling NHS infrastructure, with our 2024 manifesto committing to a ten-year plan to invest in hospitals and end the scandal of life-expired buildings. The funding for St Peter's aligns perfectly with these national policy commitments, addressing the urgent maintenance needs that affect patient safety and care quality.

The hospital trust currently performs almost 4,400 cardiac procedures annually, and the upgraded equipment will support earlier diagnosis and intervention, directly improving patient outcomes. For families with premature babies requiring intensive care, the refurbished neonatal unit will provide upgraded rooms designed to offer greater comfort, privacy and reassurance during emotionally challenging times.

Liberal Democrats believe everyone should receive the care they need, when they need it, where they need it. By using Community Infrastructure Levy funding – money collected from planning charges to offset development impact – the Alliance has demonstrated smart investment that directly benefits local residents.

This funding represents one of the most significant local healthcare investments in recent years and is expected to deliver improvements within the next two years, bringing tangible benefits to families across Runnymede and beyond.

Learn more about Liberal Democrat health policies at https://www.libdems.org.uk/health

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