The money will be used to modernise and expand the cardiac catheter lab and neonatal intensive care unit to meet growing demand and give patients the very best start to recovery.

Cllr Robert King, chair of Runnymede Borough Council's Corporate Management Committee, said: ‘I am proud that, as the new administration in Runnymede, we have prioritised using infrastructure funding in a partnership with Ashford and St Peter's which will deliver that real benefit for our NHS and our residents. This investment is about more than buildings or equipment, it is about building an NHS fit for the future, right here in Runnymede.'

A £2.9m upgrade to the cardiac catheter lab will allow more complex and minimally invasive heart procedures to be carried out more quickly and safely. Combined with an existing NHS allocation of £900,000, the investment will fund advanced new equipment and support earlier diagnosis and intervention, further improving patient outcomes.

Meanwhile, a £296,000 refurbishment of the neonatal intensive care unit will modernise and reconfigure the only Level 3 neonatal unit in Surrey, which provides specialist care for some of the smallest and sickest babies from across Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Louise Stead, chief executive for Ashford and St Peter's Hospitals, said: ‘These improvements will strengthen our ability to deliver timely, life-saving care in modern, purpose-built environments. They also reflect our ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and to working in partnership with our community. By investing in these services, we are ensuring that they can continue to deliver high-quality, compassionate care for everyone who needs it, now and in the years to come.'