Lib Dem Health Spokesman seeks assurances over DGH

8.18.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 26th Jun 2007

Last week the Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP, visited Eastbourne to discuss the threats to the maternity provision at DGH.

Mr Lamb said: "Having had a discussion with our ppc Stephen Lloyd and the co-chair of the Save the DGH campaign Monica Corrina-Kavakli, it is clear that we are reaching the end game for the PCT to make their announcement about the long-term future of maternity at DGH and the Conquest Hospital in Hastings. It is vital the PCT make the right decision and I was very impressed with the detailed proposal put forward by the cross-party Save the DGH campaign, Option 5 - Saving Lives. However, I share their concerns that the PCT does not appear to be giving the same weight to Option 5 as they are for the options they themselves have put forward. Consequently, I will be writing to Nick Yeo, the Chief Executive of the PCT, seeking assurances that Option 5 will be properly considered."

Stephen Lloyd added: "I appreciate the support our campaign is receiving from my colleague Norman Lamb. Option 5 - Saving lives has been written by the medical supporters of the DGH campaign so it is a robust proposal and details a clear rationale for retaining consultant led maternity services on both sites. A view dozens of local people repeated to me again and again when I met them last Saturday at the DGH campaign stall in the Arndale Centre. Mr Yeo and his colleagues at the PCT have a legal duty to consider all the options equally. I believe they also have a moral duty to listen to what the people of Eastbourne and Hastings are saying to them. Keep a proper, comprehensive maternity service on both hospital sites"