Another blow for Littlehampton Hospital campaigners

As residents and councillors get ready to travel to Downing Street to present up to 10,000 letters demanding the facility be built, health chiefs have said it could be February before they decide the future of community healthcare in Littlehampton.

Campaigners were working towards a December decision, but in a letter to Gillian Brown, leader of Arun District Council, NHS Sussex chief executive Amanda Fadero said more time was needed to “gather information”.

Mrs Brown said she was disappointed with the news but welcomed assurances that the primary care trust remained committed to the project

“We have waited more than six years already, so while this further delay is frustrating, it is not surprising,” she said.

“Our campaign protest letters are still being returned in huge numbers and this delay gives people who may not have put their names to one the chance to do so.

“We are aiming to present 10,000 letters to Downing Street in the coming weeks.”

She went on to thank everyone who had so far pledged support, and the dedicated campaigners who were busy gathering names in all weathers.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to our campaign.

“People feel so strongly about healthcare provision in Littlehampton and we will continue to fight for what the town has been promised,” she added.

News of the delay to the decision follows last week’s announcement by NHS Sussex that its community bed review, which will form the basis of future health plans and decisions across the county, had been completed.

Copies of the Littlehampton Community Hospital campaign letter can be signed online, via the website.

Hard copies are also available, at the Arun Civic Centre and Littlehampton Library, both in Maltravers Road, and the Littlehampton Gazette office, in Beach Road.