I try to visit regularly; and recently realised that I hadn't made a formal visit for a couple of years. My last visit was last summer – as a patient at the Minor Injuries Unit – which I had myself opened the year before! I thought I'd broken a finger getting in the way of a slip catch (dropped) but all was well.

Horsham Hospital is such a special place – it's a real local hospital, offering much-needed services to local residents and it's largely staffed by local people.

I frequently hear from people who tell me about the inaccessibility of East Surrey Hospital and because it's struggling and failing to cope with demand, they often complain about the lack of care they receive when they get there.

Well, we have Horsham Hospital on our doorstep and it's cherished by patients and staff alike. There's a strong sense of pride and ownership by all its stakeholders.

June Smith, chair of the League of Friends, which does a fantastic job, gave me a short history of the hospital. It's been there since 1892 when the Rev Dr Robinson saw the need for a hospital to serve the people of Horsham. Since then it has evolved and now provides local residents with outpatient clinics, diagnostic tests, intermediate care – especially for elderly patients recuperating after serious illness or surgery, rehabilitation and much more.

The history describes how the hospital has been built on the work of volunteers – local people who give up their time to ensure the hospital flourishes. In August 1912, for example, a Miss Birtwhistle and her fellow members of the Ladies Committee arranged a Sale of Work to raise funds for the hospital – they raised £133, by the way.

Well, this passion and generosity continues right into the 21st century and the League of Friends still thrives. Thanks to them, the hospital has acquired some expensive equipment it would not otherwise have; and patients and visitors alike are sure of a cup of tea and a friendly face when visiting the hospital.

Horsham Hospital is one of the jewels in Horsham's crown. It's clean, well looked after, has fantastic caring staff for whom nothing is too much trouble.

Visiting it just makes the point so well. For all the latest fad from the Health Ministry about so-called 'centres of excellence', there is no substitute for the real local centre of excellence, built by local enthusiasm, sustained by local commitment and cherished by the whole community.

Too often these 'centres of excellence' are neither central nor excellent. Long live Horsham Hospital and may it soon be joined by a new acute hospital for the Horsham and Crawley area!

FRANCIS MAUDE
MP for Horsham