News Date: Thursday 5th July 2007
Brighton MPs fail to turn up for crucial health debate
Yesterday, MPs in Parliament discussed the reconfiguration of Health Services in Sussex in a Westminster Hall debate initiated by Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert. MPs from across the whole of Sussex were present - the only towns to be left unrepresented were Brighton and Hove as Labour MPs David Lepper, Des Turner and Celia Barlow were all absence. This is particularly worrying as the decision about West Sussex hospitals will have a big impact on Brighton hospital which is already struggling to cope with the number of patients it has.
During the debate the new Health Minister Dawn Primarolo admitted that the reconfiguration proposals were complex and promised that the consultation would take into account the views of local doctors, nurses, local authorities and indeed the whole local community. However, if the previous decisions made by the PCT are anything to go by this seems very unlikely.
The consultation on the reconfiguration, which was published last week, did not offer the option of keeping the two main hospitals in West Sussex open with at least Accident and Emergency and maternity departments. This is despite the fact that MPs, councillors, patients, local health professionals and residents all made representations to the PCT asking them to ensure that such an option was considered.
East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton, who led for the Conservative Party during the debate, commented:
"This is undoubtedly the largest single issue affecting every MP and every constituent in the whole of Sussex and it is incredible that none of the three MPs from Brighton and Hove have turned up to represent the views of their constituents.
"During the debate my colleagues and I urged the new Minister to acknowledge that the reconfiguration was being bulldozed through - not in order to improve the health services available to local people but in order to save money after the Government's disastrous mishandling of NHS resources.
"The Fit for the Future consultation document is not fit for the future of any of my constituents. We will not be druv and will continue to fight for the future of our hospitals."
Ends
1) For more information on the KWASH (Keep Worthing and Southlands Hospital) campaign please visit www.kwash.org.uk
2) To read the Hansard please visit http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070704/halltext/70704h0006.htm#07070444000004
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