Littlehampton hospital campaigners plan Downing Street visit

Residents, councillors, MPs and even the aristocracy have put their weight behind the Give Us Our Hospital campaign, demanding the town’s long-promised hospital be built.

More than 7,000 people have signed letters calling for the project, which had been plagued by delays, postponements and cancellations since the original hospital was demolished in 2005, to go ahead, and they are now planning to take the correspondence to Prime Minister David Cameron, in Downing Street,

Gillian Brown, leader of Arun District Council, who has spearheaded the campaign, along with Littlehampton mayor, Alan Gammon, said: “I was hopeful that, following our trip to the Sussex NHS Board in July, our subsequent talks with health chiefs might prove constructive and fruitful but I have been disappointed again.

“I am committed to the fight for better health care in Littlehampton.

“The response to our campaign has been staggering and we will take this all the way to the top. If you have not already put your name to a letter, it’s not too late.”

Among those who have pledged support are MPs Nick Gibb and Sir Peter Bottomley, the Duke of Norfolk, schools and community groups, but protesters hope the total number of petition letters signed will reach 10,000 before they are handed over to Number 10.

Mr Gammon added his own plea to the community: “We will never stop fighting for the hospital that this town was promised.

“The need is greater than ever. Please put your name to a letter.

“Add your voice to the thousands of others who are saying ‘enough is enough’ and join us in our demand for action.

“To add to our evidence case we would like to hear from the public about how the loss of our hospital has affected them. Please tell us your stories by e-mail or letter to Arun District Council or post them at www.facebook.com/giveusourhospital.”

An update meeting between community leaders and NHS officials is scheduled to take place at Littlehampton Town Council on Wednesday, and health chiefs will meet in public on November 24, in Lewes.

To add your name to the growing campaign, pop into the Arun Civic Centre or the Littlehampton Library, both in Maltravers Road, The Gazette office, in Beach Road, or the town council offices, at Manor House, Church Street.