NEWS RELEASES
New Hospital Now - Public Rally Comes to Horsham
6 May 2008
New Hospital Now Public rallies are being held on Saturday 17 May, at 12 noon in Horsham's Forum and at 2.30pm in Queens Square, Crawley.
This area, north of West Sussex, is once again is being ignored by the Primary Care Trust and it is time for residents to show and voice their opinions at the public rallies. The aim of the rallies to get a New Hospital back on the agenda with the PCT and Sir Graeme Catto. Speakers at the rallies include Dr Skipp LibDem; Rt Hon Franics Maude; Henry Smith, leader of WSCC; Liz Kitchen, Horsham District Council; Cllr Claire Denman, Crawley Borough Council, and more.
Henry Smith, Leader of West Sussex County Council, said, 'I am really pleased that the Crawley and Horsham town centre rallies on May 17th will allow all concerned residents to vote with their feet and voice their support for a new area NHS hospital with A&E.
It doesn't matter what your background is, we are all equally adversely affected by the lack of local emergency health provision and the need for new facilities for our important part of the country is the most.'
Bob Lanzer, Councillor for Crawley Borough Council, Bob Lanzer commented of the public rallies in Horsham and Crawley on Saturday 17 May:
"This rally is an important opportunity for Crawley people to show their views about the urgent need for a new hospital to serve their growing community. There remains considerable anger at the downgrading of Crawley Hospital and the failure to recognise how our local needs would be met with a new hospital to west of the town."
And importantly Geoff Williamson, Chairman of the Crawley, Horsham & Mid Sussex Branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said:
“The lack of hospital facilities in the area is an issue for small businesses. Our members have expressed many concerns including the length of time that they and their employees must take travelling long distances to attend hospital appointments. Delays in treatment increase business costs. There is also concern about the ability to recover these costs and the effect it has on insurance premiums.
Cancelled out-patient appointments and operations are also a problem. Postponements mean that temporary workers, employed to provide cover for staff needing hospital treatment, will not be required after all.
The lack of adequate hospital facilities may discourage companies looking to relocate to West Sussex and indeed those already here may be dissuaded from re-investing in their current location. ‘Startups’ businesses may decide to establish themselves elsewhere. All these factors have a negative effect on the local economy.”
Further information on the Rallies www.c4pph.org
Press enquiries only Sally Pavey Tel: (07831) 632537
Ends
This news release has been issued by the Campaign 4 Pease Pottage Hospital.