NEW FEARS OVER HOSPITAL'S STATUS

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson has highlighted the likely additional pressures on ambulance services if the DGH is downgraded and more patients have to travel to Hastings, or further afield.

By The Newsroom

Published 2nd May 2006, 19:06 BST

Updated 7th Jun 2018, 22:43 BST

In a reply to a letter from the MP, Sussex Ambulance Service Chief Executive Paul Sutton says: "We have already raised our views and concerns about the additional demand and reduced performance that may impact on our front line ambulances."

The letter goes on: "We'¦ have highlighted the need for investment that will be required in our service in order to ensure that response times, clinical standards, patient care and performance standards are not compromised."

Mr Waterson said it was worrying that the chief executive admitted: "We have very little data about travel times for our vehicles travelling between these sites."

Mr Waterson commented: "It is astounding that so little planning seems to be in place should the DGH site be downgraded and more and longer ambulance journeys be necessary. This comes on top of the recent warning by a leading consultant that a loss of services could lead to women and children dying on the road to Hastings."