Hope for hospital plans fading fast

Representing people with learning difficulties, I joined the forum in 2008. Those attending the 2008 meetings were led to believe that the building of the hospital was imminent; we were shown architects’ plans, a timeline was presented, laying the foundation stone was discussed, as was a completion date.

Then, silence for several months. From information given to the stakeholders when the meeting recommenced in late spring of 2009, it would appear that previous plans had been shelved but, we were assured, new plans had been drawn up, a new method of funding was to be used and the building of the hospital was once more on the agenda.

We were again shown a timeline, which included submitting a bid for funding and proposed dates for commencing the building, should the bid be successful, which we were led to believe it would be. Then once again; silence.

Concerned at the lack of information, I contacted Littlehampton Town Council and the town clerk, the Littlehampton Gazette and the NHS West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) headquarters at Goring. I was not satisfied with the way my enquiry was dealt with by the PCT and registered my concerns, which are as follows:

l so far, many hundreds of thousands of pounds of taxpayers’ money has been spent, with nothing to show for this expenditure;

l the PCT is refusing to respond to the concerns expressed by many of the stakeholders;

l there is no transparency/openness in the methods being used by the PCT;

l many people gave up their time to attend these meetings and the failure to keep us informed not only shows a lack of respect, but is also very rude.

I hope that the PCT will soon have the decency to inform both the stakeholders and the people of Littlehampton about the future plans for the Arun Community Hospital.

Patricia Peal,

Taw Close,

Worthing