All party campaign to save DGH

5.19.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 26th Apr 2006

Cllr Beryl Healy, former council leader and Mayor of Eastbourne, is calling for a People's campaign to stop any proposals to downgrade our local hospital. The local health authority has announced plans that could mean a big reduction in services at the DGH.

A petition has been launched so that local people can have their say on these proposals.Beryl Healy said, "As a former nurse for over 40 years I was shocked to hear that the DGH may be reducing its level of services to local people. Our hospital is facing its gravest danger that I have ever known in all the years that I have lived and worked in Eastbourne."

"This is not the time for party politics, so I am calling on all the political parties in Eastbourne to join me in a cross-party partnership to stop these appalling proposals in their tracks."

Lewes Lib Dem MP Norman Baker, whose constituency includes residents who use DGH has joined Beryl's campaign. Norman said, "I am very concerned at any downgrading of DGH. It will be bad news for my constituents in Polegate and patients across East Sussex."

Patients under threat

A local Consultant has raised fears further about the downgrading. Speaking to the Eastbourne Herald, Vincent Argent, a senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the DGH who said women and children could die on route to Hastings if maternity and children's services are transferred away from the DGH.