D-DAY ON HEALTH PROPOSALS DELAYED UNTIL THE NEW YEAR

DESPITE promising that by this autumn they would finalise proposals on the future of the heath service in West Sussex, health chiefs have announced the planned consultation will be delayed until next year.

West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) has been working with PCTs across Surrey and Sussex on an extensive programme to design a new health system.

This has led to fears that there are going to be huge cuts in the health service in West Sussex and in turn has led to huge and ongoing protests across the county.

The PCT claims the proposed changes, when they are announced, will bring more care closer to people's homes, but at the same time, ensure the local NHS lives within its means.

A West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) statement said: "After talking to many people, including NHS staff, patients, other partner agencies, local authorities and the wider public, the PCT has agreed to defer formal consultation until early next year."

For full story see next week's West Sussex Gazette.