Surrey Hospital Service Closure Forces Patients to Travel 17 Miles
A key audiology service at Dorking Hospital has been suspended due to technical issues, with patients now required to travel 17 miles to Kingston Hospital for care. The move, described as temporary by NHS Surrey Heartlands, has raised accessibility concerns—particularly for elderly and disabled patients. Local officials, including MP Chris Coghlan and Councillor Marisa Heath, have criticized the disruption, citing long and difficult travel times. While some alternative services are available at Specsavers branches nearby, they may not meet all patient needs. The NHS has not confirmed when the service will return to Dorking.