Hundreds turned away from key hospital meeting

All 360 seats at the crucial consultation meeting in Chichester were quickly snapped up by residents and hospital staff keen to show their support for St Richard's, hoping a massive show of strength would have an impact.

But many hundreds were left disappointed as Chichester MP Andrew Tyrie and chief executive of the West Sussex Primary Care Trust, John Wilderspin, broke the news they would not be getting to the Friday night meeting.

"I am very disappointed for the 1,000 members of my constituency who were not able to get into the meeting," said Mr Tyrie, who spoke to the supporters queuing outside The Venue and promised to raise their views on their behalf. "The real meeting was outside."

Mr Wilderspin expressed his regret so many people were left disappointed, but said there was still plenty of other opportunities for residents to get involved.

He said: "Obviously this is an issue which is of great interest to the public which is the reason we are holding a series of public meetings, including a second one in Chichester.

"We are keen to be able to listen to the views of as many people as possible and are more than happy to speak at other meetings across the community."

Inside the meeting, hospital supporters wasted no time in airing their views to the PCT, which has proposed the controversial Fit For The Future shake-up of health services in West Sussex.

As previously reported by the Observer three options have been put forward, one of which will see the much-loved Chichester hospital downgraded.

Residents vented their frustration that West Sussex was faced with a choice of either St Richard's or Worthing being expanded to become the county's only major general hospital - at the expense of the other.

"What the PCT has effectively done is to split the community," resident Robin Kerr said.

"They have put the two communities on either side of the River Arun on opposite sides."

A key concern raised by many hospital supporters was the increase in travel times they faced to get to Portsmouth or Worthing, should St Richard's be downgraded.

And they were angry it was not an issue which the PCT seemed to be consulting residents about.

Campaigner Derek Waller said: "There is nowhere in your consultation document which talks about transport and access. It does not even mention the A27, A259 or any journey times."

Mr Wilderspin, who told the meeting a new report on the issue was about to be published, said the shake-up would bring many services much closer to people's homes. But he conceded some people would be forced to travel for longer for some specialist services.

The Support St Richard's campaign was delighted with the massive turnout at the meeting and the questions asked by the public, and hoped their efforts would pay off.

Mr Tyrie, who co-chairs the campaign, told the PCT: "Please understand we are not going to give up St Richard's without a fight."

A full report of the meeting and details of future consultation events will be published in the Observer on Thursday, July 26.The hundreds of hospital supporters locked outside as the meeting started were furious that they had been denied the chance to make their points to the PCT.

Before MP Andrew Tyrie addressed the angry horde, they crowded around the main entrance to The Venue and struck up the chant: "Save St Richard's, save St Richard's."

They demanded PCT officials leave the stage inside the hall and speak to them - but after Trust chief executive was taken outside briefly by

Mr Tyrie to see for himself the hundreds outside, he went back indoors to take his place at the top table.

The meeting started only a few minutes late, and the consultation process began while Mr Tyrie conducted an in impromptu question-and-answers session in the car park.

What the supporters said:

We got here early and couldn't believe we couldn't get in. They should have booked a larger venue. They should have realised a lot of people want to have give their views.

John Pitt, Chichester

How can they call this consultation when there are hundreds of people waiting to get in and express themselves? It's a charade. It's about time the people on the platform in there came out and realised just how strongly people feel about it. People have given up their time to come here this evening. It's an absolute disgrace. This is typical of the whole process. The proverbial and the brewery comes to mind.

Michael Bailey

I think this says everything about the organisation of the health service. They can't even organise a meeting, let alone the health service.

Jean Crouch, Bognor Regis

They don't realise how very, very strongly we all feel, and I don't blame them for that. Now they do realise. Perhaps we have done something by standing outside and getting cross.

Colin Crouch, Bognor Regis

They must have realised so many people wanted to come here. People have walked to London because of this, for goodness sake. Surely they can't be surprised people feel strongly.

Derek Weller, Felpham

Were you locked outside? Did you one of the lucky ones to get inside the hall? Let us know what you think. Click here to give us your views.