EX-CONSULTANT'S FURY AT HONESTY CLAIMS

Vince Argent, a former consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the hospital, said when he spoke out against the possible changes he was criticised by a senior director.

These proposals to cut emergency maternity and paediatric services have generated massive public opposition and on December 9 around 1,000 protesters took park in a vigil to keep the services at the DGH.

The Herald reported medical staff had showed their support, but felt intimidated by managers from East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust.

In response the Trust was quoted as saying "Staff are free to express their opinions outside work and there are a number of ways for them to raise any concerns or express their opinion whilst at work."

But Mr Argent said after talking to the Herald he received a letter from the Trust's medical director, criticising his actions and urging not to do it again.

Mr Argent said, "I wrote the Herald in April, using my own notepaper, expressing my concerns about removal of emergency consultant maternity services from Eastbourne.

"Following an article in the paper, I received the following letter from Dr Scott, the medical director of the hospital. I will leave the public, patients and health care staff to draw their own conclusions."

In the letter Dr Scott states, "Your recent communications with the press have not only caused severe embarrassment to your professional colleagues but have also caused considerable alarm and distress to many of the Trust patients and potential patients."

The letter, which was sent to Mr Argent in April, goes on to say the Trust had not made any final decisions on the future of the hospital.

Mr Argent argued his patients have been very supportive of the stance he has taken.

22 December 2006