'Keep up hospital battle'

FOLLOWING last week's front page Margaret Williams from the Hands off the Conquest campaign and Liz Walke, her Eastbourne counterpart from Save the DGH, have issued the following statement:

"Following various misleading statements over the last week claiming the Conquest Hospital seems to be saved from cuts and downgrading, we the campaign committee would point out that this is still far from being the case.

"No decisions have been announced by the Primary Care Trust (PCT) and are not expected until the end of February/beginning of March.

"No public consultation has also taken place.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"The question mark over both Eastbourne DGH and the Conquest having 24-hour emergency surgery gives rise to the fact that whichever hospital loses out, that one is still in danger of losing its A&E department in the foreseeable future.

"The fact it is still proposed that there will be only be one consultant-led maternity unit is still a major threat to the lives and welfare of mothers and babies in both areas. This will result in women in labour having to travel long distances over very poor road networks regardless of any complications they may have.

"The question of children's services has not been mentioned by the PCT. However the hospital trust is considering reducing the number of beds at both Eastbourne DGH and the Conquest through the spring, summer and autumn.

"Inevitably this will necessitate occasions when children will have to travel out of the district to find a bed.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"We also fear this is the first step in either Hastings or Eastbourne losing its paediatric unit completely.

"It is imperative that the fight for emergency core services must continue until we have written assurances that they are safe."