THE future of Leatherhead Hospital has been secured after its mooted closure was left off a list of options put forward by health bosses in the face of “significant” public opposition.

Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (SDCCG) published a report last week summarising the outcome of a three-month review into services provided by community hospitals in Mole Valley.

In November the hospital’s Leach Ward was closed and all of its 15 inpatient beds taken out of use due to a shortage of nurses, leading to fears that the hospital could shut permanently.

As a result, SDCCG added ten beds to an outpatient ward at Dorking Hospital and five beds at New Epsom and Ewell Hospital.