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Open Letter From Hands Off The Conquest Campaign:
Democracy v Lip Service
The Fit For The Future Public Consultation on Maternity Services in East Sussex came to an end on the 27th July 2007. At that time there were 4 Options put forward by the Primary Care Trust. These were the only “official” Options, and all involved the downgrading or closure of one or other of the two units at either Eastbourne or Hastings. The Hands Off The Conquest and Save the DGH Campaigners produced Option 5 Saving Lives which was drawn up by medical professionals with patient safety as the main criteria. This was the only Option keeping 2 consultant led maternity units and had overwhelming public support but the Primary Care Trust failed to fully include this Option in their consultation process.
Since the end of the Public Consultation Option 5 has been joined by Options 6, 7, 10 and 11. Options 8 and 9 were not put forward for further consideration. None of these other Options provide 2 consultant led units. In fact they would, if adopted, see one of the hospitals becoming nothing more than a cottage hospital since they suggest having the midwife led unit close to or adjoining the consultant led unit with the other hospital having nothing. When a hospital loses a core service, such as maternity, ask any clinician, what is called the domino effect takes place. This means you then lose paediatrics (children’s care), and then A & E.
Our Primary Care Trust has stated on many occasions that it intends to keep two robust hospitals. Does that mean two robust acute hospitals, because if that is the case, Options 6,7, 10 and 11 are dead in the water.
Within the last 10 days 2 more Options have come forward. One from the MSLC (Maternity Services Liaison Committee) and the other from a Consultant Paediatrician in Eastbourne. Options 12 and 13. Both these Options keep 2 consultant led maternity units.
AND THERE YOU HAVE IT – Options 1-4 from the Primary Care Trust take away choice, safety, accessibility and the wishes of the public they serve, and Options 5, 12 and 13 keep all those things.
Which will the joints boards of the two Primary Care Trusts choose?
It cannot be right that there is no further Public Consultation on the new Options on this major subject for the residents of East Sussex.
We have heard much throughout the Consultation process about “independent people”. Let’s look at this “independence”. Throughout the Consultation we had at all the Public Meetings an “independent Chair”. Who paid this persons fees? The Primary Care Trust!
The New Assessment Panel for other Options had an “independent Chair”. Who paid this persons fees? The Primary Care Trust. The Campaign Groups were refused direct contact with the Chair. Any comment, question or query had to be passed through the Primary Care Trust!
At this moment there is an “independent analyst” deciding which Options should be further considered. Who is paying this persons fees? The Primary Care Trust!
One final point, there are no female non executive directors on our Primary Care Trust and there were no female councillors on the Cabinet when Hastings Council voted for Option 4. Funny when we are talking about childbirth.
Is this DEMOCRACY or is this LIP SERVICE? I let you decide!!
Margaret Williams
Chair – Hands Off The Conquest Campaign
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Response below from Hastings and Rother & East Sussex Downs and Weald Primary Care Trusts
The Fit for the Future public consultation in East Sussex proposed four options for changing local maternity, specialist baby care and inpatient gynaecology services to make them better and safer. They were developed in the latter part of 2006 and early 2007 in close partnership with many of the clinicians delivering these services.
As well as outlining the PCTs’ vision, the consultation included an invitation to the community to submit their own ideas about how they think we should deal with future challenges. The result was a series of alternative options which were assessed within the consultation period by both the proponents of each option and PCT representatives, overseen by an independent chair. The report of this inclusive and even handed process was publicly announced and is available on the consultation website (www.southeastcoastfff.co.uk).
After the consultation period closed, the PCTs were informed that consultation respondents wished to submit two further options. Despite the fact that the formal consultation period had completed, the PCTs felt it was important to include these options in the process, and they have therefore requested that they too are assessed by the independent chair.
Nick Yeo, chief executive of the PCTs said: “The new options prove to us that the community has really understood the changes that we need to make to improve these vital services and engaged with us to identify solutions. I am really pleased that our boards will have such a broad spectrum of views and alternative suggestions to consider in making decisions on how to move forward.”
The PCT boards insisted that the potential to sustain two hospital sites with a 24 hour emergency service must be a key factor in decision-making. Therefore, ‘sustaining two viable hospitals’ is one of the five key criteria against which any option will be assessed.
Kind regards,
Suzanne Gooch
Communications Manager
Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust
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