|
On the 12th November, John Appleyard of the Senior Forum members of East Sussex wrote to the Secretary Of State For Health, local MPs, members of the PCT and many others regarding the future of Maternity and related services in East Sussex. [Click here to read the original letter]. Since then there have been a number of follow-up letters which are reproduced below.
21st November 2007
Dear Mr Appleyard
Thank you for your copy letter to the Secretary of State for Health.
As you will know, I have been leading the campaign to "Save the DGH' in Eastbourne for over two years now. You make some excellent points in your letter to Alan Johnson, and indeed he himself admitted on radio the other day that 20 miles was too far to travel to access maternity services.
Thank you very much for your support, and 1 can assure you that 1 shall continue to fight very hard to keep consultant led maternity at both Eastbourne and Hastings.
With best wishes
Yours Sincerely
Nigel Waterson
Member of Parliament for Eastbourne, Willingdon & East Dean
23 November 2007: The Official Reply
Dear Mr Appleyard,
Thank you for your letter of 12 November to Alan Johnson about health services in East Sussex. The large number of letters sent to Mr Johnson means that it is not always possible for him to reply personally. I have been asked to reply.
I should explain that, although the Department of Health provides strategic leadership to the NHS and social care organisations in England, it is for local NHS organisations to plan, develop and improve services for local people. These bodies are therefore best placed to respond to patients' concerns and needs.
In view of the above, you may wish to write to Ms Candy Morris, Chief Executive of NHS South East Coast, who would be better placed to respond to your concerns. Her address is as follows:
NHS South East Coast York House 18-20 Massetts Road, Horley, Surrey RH67DE
I hope that this reply is helpful.
Yours sincerely,
Paul Larkin Customer Service Centre Department of Health
11th December: A follow-up letter to Nigel Waterson, MP for Eastbourne, Shadow Minister for Pensions and Conservative Spokesman for Older People
Dear Nigel Waterson
We have received a reply to our letter of 12th November from the Minister of States’ office, copy enclosed.
We, as an Association, regard this reply to be a great disappointment. Do not the views of some 2,500 mean anything? Why was the letter not referred to the Minister?
Also included are photocopies of two articles in a Sunday Newspaper concerning maternity services nationally.
One very significant fact mentioned in the articles quotes that in 2006 the birth-rate (669,501) has been the highest for 14 years, yet the Hospital Trust Medical Director, Dr David Scott, is using figures for the year 2005 in his argument for a single site consultant led unit.
The articles also highlight the need for more obstetricians to be trained to prevent the needless neo-natal deaths and brain damaged children. It is also significant that the NHS is facing claims of £4.5 billion as compensation for alleged botched births.
Maternity and allied services have been consigned to the very bottom of the NHS resource list, a move which we feel to be a big mistake by the present administration, and will leave Maternity as the Cinderella of the service.
The demographic evidence submitted to the consultative body (HOSC) was flawed by virtue of the subsequent information released by HM Government which gave information on growth in population and birth numbers
It is considered that no action be taken until correct are up to date population statistics are submitted for consideration.
We look forward to receiving your early response
Yours sincerely
John Appleyard
Chair, East Sussex Seniors' Association
16th December: Nigel Waterson MP responds
I fear the NHS locally (under financial pressure from ministers) are determined to push through changes which will seriously impact on patient safety and choice.
Our last hope is that the non-executive directors of the PCT's will see sense.
Best wishes
Nigel Waterson
18th December: Additional Comments from John Appleyard
It is totally dishonest to base decisions on statistics which are out of date - 2007 will be higher I suspect with the growth in immigrants. What tidings they bring!
The PCT are committing a Herodian act - at least Herod waited until they were born!!
You can fool some of the people some of the time.....hopefully not the PCT boards ??
They should prioritise and deflect political and financial pressures.
Patient safety is paramount, nothing else is as important, even a centre of excellence is of no use to a dead baby...
Printable opinions (from clinicians and patients) I've heard since last week's meeting include .. disgraceful , dismay, angry, disappointed, not fit to hold office, liars, how do we get rid of them, where do they live.. etc etc.. not one in support.
I hope common sense and justice will prevail
18th December: Vincent Argent speaks out
On such an important issue, one would have expected the Health Minister, Alan Johnson to have sent a personal reply. Even tactically, our Minister should have had the nous to at least sign the letter himself.
This insults our senior citizens.
Please note the comment that is to be for local NHS organisations to make rhe best decision for local people. But they are not.
They really must go.
Vincent Argent
Medical Adviser to Option 5 Group
|
