This sight could spell the end of St Richard's

Unless hundreds of residents turn out in force for the crucial consultation meeting, health chiefs will not hear how much support the hospital has '“ which could sway the decision against St Richard's despite the on-going campaign.

"If we don't maintain this momentum, the decision makers will start to believe you don't care, and I know that is not the case," St Richard's consultant Marjory Greig said.

As previously reported by the Observer, the West Sussex Primary Care Trust has put forward three options to shake up health services across the county.

Either St Richard's or Worthing will be chosen as the county's major general hospital at the expense of the other which will lose key services such as its A&E and maternity.

Tomorrow's meeting at The Venue in Chichester will be the first opportunity for residents, staff and patients to hear details of the proposals and pose questions to the PCT.

Chichester MP Andrew Tyrie said it was vital supporters of the Chichester hospital got their views across at the meeting.

"We need to get the message across to the PCT that they tamper with St Richard's at their peril," he said.

"This is one of the best hospitals in the country. Closing its major trauma A&E would not just be incomprehensible, it would be madness."

Chief executive of the PCT, John Wilderspin, said he was looking forward to the meeting and explaining the options in detail.

"The future of health services affects everyone so we would like as many people to get involved in the public debate as possible," he said.

Dr Greig said she hoped residents and supporters from across the hospital's area would flock to the meeting and fight for St Richard's to be the county's main hospital.

She said: "It is absolutely essential people of Chichester, Bognor Regis, Midhurst and surrounding areas attend the public meetings.

"We need to ensure the PCT continues to acknowledge the intensity of support for St Richard's to retain full services and to be expanded into a major general hospital.

"The panel will include Andrew Tyrie and myself and we hope to ensure a balance of opinions are heard, including our own.

"It is also your opportunity to get answers to your questions about the consultation and reconfiguration process.

"The campaign team are aware several sectors of our community do not have a PCT-led meeting scheduled. We are arranging to fill some of those gaps but, in the meantime I look forward to seeing you in Chichester."

Tomorrow's meeting is taking place at The Venue in Spur Road, Chichester, at 7pm.

Click here for more reports on the hospital campaign