Maternity unit granted summer reprieve

NHS chiefs have decided to keep the unit running at the DGH beyond August 1, when it was widely expected it would close as a 'temporary measure'. The announcement was made this week by East Sussex Downs and Weald Primary Care Trust (PCT), the organisation responsible for funding hospital services. But campaigners are urging people to carry on fighting to keep the DGH intact. Liz Walke, chairman of Save the DGH, told councillors the news at a council meeting on Wednesday. She said, "There will be no changes made to the maternity unit until March next year. "Let's not just be focusing on saving maternity services, though, as all our core services are at stake." Council leader Ian Lucas said, "It is great news but we still need to keep up the fight. "The effects of any downgrading of hospital services will mean a devastating effect on the Eastbourne economy. "The PCT's consultation document says the birth rate is expected to fall by eight per cent in Eastbourne. "I think that figure is highly challengeable. We are going to have an extra 10,000 new houses built here in the next 10 years. That is an extra 20,000 people." Cllr Lucas said it was a 'scandal' that NHS bosses had not stopped the four-month consultation to allow Save the DGH's so-called Option Five to be included. Cllr David Tutt said the news was a 'small victory'. But he added, "March next year will be here before we know it. It's a stay of execution." Cllr Bob Lacey, who is also chairman of East Sussex Health and Overview Scrutiny Committee (HOSC), said the fight to keep all main hospital services must continue. He said, "Everyone has a vested interest in the health service in Eastbourne. "This is clearly a financial decision, not a clinical one. "The tourism industry in Eastbourne will be affected if there is any downgrading whatsoever. "Any discussion must include all five options." Cllr Lacey added that Eastbourne had seen an enormous influx of people since 2001. "We do not want to see lives lost at all," he said. Cllr Neil Stanley said, "The prospect of being stuck in traffic in an ambulance on the way to Hastings is absolutely terrifying for a lot of people." A joint statement from both East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT and East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust said, "We have agreed interim arrangements for maternity services after August 1 when national changes to junior doctors' training come into effect. "Under these, the two maternity units at Eastbourne District General Hospital and the Conquest Hospital, Hastings, will remain open. "Public consultation is currently underway on options for East Sussex maternity services, including for these units, for the longer term." In Option Five both Eastbourne and Hastings would have a consultant-led obstetrics unit dealing with high risk pregnancies. The Crowborough midwife-led birthing centre would also remain untouched.