NHS explains consultation policy on changes

The claim was made by Wealden MP, Charles Hendry, who criticised the decision to hold separate consultations for East and West Sussex at different times.

NHS South Coast have issued the following statement to explain the reasons for the different timings.

'It has always been the intention of the NHS to start the Fit for the Future consultation before the end of this financial year but at no time have we said that this would happen simultaneously across the whole of the NHS South East Coast area.

'The primary care trusts in East Sussex are ready to proceed with consultation and do so with the support of the PCTs in West Sussex and Brighton and Hove.

'In West Sussex the situation is different.

'Brighton and Hove, like other unitary authorities, is electing a new council in May and as a result their scrutiny committee may change.

'This is material because West Sussex PCT and Brighton and Hove City PCT plan to consult together which means that West Sussex County Council and Brighton and Hove City Council will form a joint scrutiny committee to examine the process.

'West Sussex PCT is considering changes to a wide range of services and will use the time before consultation to continue to develop its thinking about how best to care for patients in the future'