NEWS RELEASES
NHS Fit for the Future consultation
4th July 2007
THE LEADER of Horsham District Council has said that there is widespread ‘dismay’ about the NHS’s Fit for the Future consultation about local hospital provision.
Cllr Liz Kitchen, Leader of Horsham District Council, was speaking at last Wednesday’s meeting of Horsham District Council (27 June).
At the meeting she said:
“The long threatened consultation on hospital reconfiguration was launched yesterday (26 June) following the Primary Care Trust’s (PCT) meeting in Worthing on Monday.
“News broke last week in a press briefing issued by the PCT and this has since been covered in the local press, and on the radio and television.
“Last Friday, our Council Chairman Cllr Roger Paterson, Cllr David Holmes (Leader of the Liberal Democrats) and I added our names to a letter to the West Sussex PCT Chairman from the Rt. Hon Francis Maude MP, other West Sussex MPs, and the Chairmen, Mayors, Leaders and opposition leaders of all the West Sussex councils.
“The letter expresses dismay that the consultation document contains only three options all of which propose the downgrading of existing services so that the county would have only one major general hospital (providing acute medicine and A&E, including emergency surgery and consultant led obstetrics).
“The letter called on the PCT Chairman to postpone the consultation until a further option, to retain the existing pattern of acute hospital provision, was included.
“Despite these efforts the PCT decided to press on with the three options.
“The loss of A&E and other services at Princess Royal and at Saint Richard’s or Worthing would be to the severe detriment of very many of our residents.
“The PCT has also rejected the development of a new acute hospital to serve the Crawley and Horsham area on grounds of clinical and financial sustainability.
“I am sure that Council members will join me in expressing deep concern that our acute hospital services, which have been steadily eroded over the last ten years, will be dealt a further blow if any of the proposed options are approved.
“On behalf of all our residents we need to put together a robust and unified case to secure the best possible services to meet the needs of our growing population
“I am arranging for an Advisory Group to be set up immediately so that we can begin to assemble our case.
“I am very pleased that Doctor David Skipp, who is one of our District Councillors, has agreed to join the Advisory Group.
“His professional medical expertise and local knowledge will be of enormous benefit to our work.
“The consultation exercise will run for 18 weeks until 30 October 2007.
“Following the Advisory Group’s deliberations I intend to bring the draft response to the consultation back to Council on 17 October.
“Between now and then I will also be seeking the views of and support from our parish and neighbourhood councils; the county and district and borough councils in West Sussex and local voluntary sector organisations.”
Speaking after the meeting, Cllr David Holmes, Leader of the Liberal Democrats at Horsham District Council, said:
“There is absolutely no doubt that we need a major hospital in the Horsham - Crawley area mid-way between the coast and Redhill.
“It is totally unacceptable to have this large hole in the provision of care.
“I am very pleased that Dr David Skipp is going to be active, leading the Liberal Democrat group in their support of the campaign to secure a new hospital.”
Ends
CONTACT: Richard Morris, Communications Manager
Email: richard.morris@horsham.gov.uk