Jobs and beds are to be axed at Epsom General Hospital

The plans, announced last month, are part of a drive to save �24m over the next 18 months at Epsom General in Surrey and St Helier in Carshalton.

Councillors on Surrey Health Scrutiny Committee will question hospital bosses in front of members of the public.

The meeting, at Bourne Hall in Ewell is on 21 November at 1000 GMT.

A committee spokeswoman said the proposals did not just affect the people of Surrey, but could also impact on the London boroughs of Sutton, Merton and Croydon.

'Views heard'

"With something as crucial as health care, it's important we get to grips with the issues involved," said chairman Chris Pitt.

"It's important to make sure the views of Surrey people are heard and that any decisions made are in the best interests of the people who use the service."

Epsom and St Helier Hospitals Trust has said the amount of time patients spent in hospital is reducing, so fewer beds are needed.

As far as possible, the reduction in jobs would be achieved by not filling vacant posts and reducing the use of temporary staff, it said.

The latest proposals follow the ending of emergency and trauma surgery at Epsom General.

In September, up to 3,000 people marched through the town to protest against emergency cases being sent St Helier instead.

The trust has since received a proposal by Surrey businessman and former NHS executive Adrian White to buy the hospital for �20m

Following next week's meeting, the scrutiny committee will decide whether to hold a formal consultation on the job cuts and bed closures.