Cut the hospitalservices '“ and people will die

Mr Wells said the experience of the drivers for Sammy Community Transport showed the risks of scrapping the A&E department at St Richard's Hospital in Chichester.

Health bosses have put forward three options for the future of hospital services in West Sussex. These include St Richard's losing its 24-hour emergency care section.

Patients could be directed instead to Worthing Hospital or Queen Alexandra Hospital at Cosham.

But Mr Wells said his volunteer drivers had experience of making the journey to Portsmouth with Bognor residents who were undergoing radiotherapy there.

One recent visit summed up the perils involved. The patient had a 4pm hospital appointment but a road accident on the outskirts of Portsmouth brought traffic to a halt. The individual arrived back home nearly three-and-a-half hours later.

'This is typical of what can happen on a daily basis,' said Mr Wells. 'The roads are regularly blocked.

'If there is an accident on the A27 between Fishbourne and Emsworth, an ambulance is going to be held up on its way to QA Hospital even if it has its siren and blue lights on.

'The ambulance can't fly over the top of the tailback. That's where the deaths are going to occur. I honestly do think people will die.

'If St Richard's is downgraded and specialist services go, I am concerned about the travelling times.

'We allow 30 minutes to go from Felpham to St Richard's. That's generous. If we have to go to Portsmouth, we will add at least another 30 minutes to the journey.

'Going further afield will mean we are doing fewer jobs because our vehicles will be out of town for longer. That will apply to the ambulance services as well as us.'

Mr Wells told Sammy Community Transport's annual meeting last Friday: 'It's the responsibility of all of us to make our voices heard to the bureaucrats of the primary care trusts who are making such crass decisions.'

The meeting reflected on another busy year for the charity. It has five minibuses and two adapted cars. The minibuses covered 19,498 miles and transported 13,996 passengers.

The cars carried 1,314 passengers over 4,514 miles. Around 10,000 other people were taken in the private cars of Sammy's drivers.

The organisation relies on around 50 drivers to provide its service. Frequent trips are made to hospitals as well as enabling elderly residents to enjoy social outings seven days a week.

Mr Wells said the volunteers had each helped out for an average of about 21 hours a week. This was equal to providing 349,440 of labour free of charge.

'I am sure that everyone would agree that this is a fantastic achievement and I must place on record my sincere thanks to all our volunteers and supporters for their hard work,' he added.

The meeting was attended by actor Christopher Timothy to show his support for the transport charity.

Two presentations were made in recognition of loyal service. One framed certificate went to Bill Eastgate who has stepped down at the age of 81 after ten years as a driver.

The other certificate was presented to Alan Murrell, the widow of Monica Murrell. A tireless fundraiser, she died suddenly last May.