Tuesday - NHS meeting tonight

THE possible loss of the maternity unit at the Conquest hospital is still very much a real threat.

Campaigners on Friday tried to get the proposals by NHS chiefs dropped but failed.

The four options for the future of health services therefore will be included in the formal consultation period which starts on Monday and ends on July 6.

The joint meeting between Hastings and Rother PCT and East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT was open to the public. Any member of the public wanting to ask a question had to submit it several days beforehand. Fewer than a dozen people attended.

Cllr Jeremy Birch, non-executive director for Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "I am personally not prepared to support an option whereby there is only one maternity unit. This should be dropped."

His Eastbourne counterpart Rhiannon Barker said: "There is a very strong sense of feeling against this.

"It would enhance the level of public debate if these options were dropped."

NHS bosses unveiled their proposals last week. The options are:

1. A consultant-led maternity unit at the Conquest with a midwifery unit at Eastbourne;

2. A consultant-led unit at Eastbourne and a midwifery unit at Hastings;

3. A consultant-led unit at Eastbourne and nothing at Hastings;

4. A consultant-led unit at Hastings and nothing at Eastbourne.

The Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) will go to just one hospital. Antenatal and post-natal care and emergency pregnancy services would remain untouched as would birthing centre in Crowborough.

Liz Walke, of the Save the DGH campaign, said: "Have any of these options been fully costed?

"What has the ambulance service said with regard to the proposed changes?"

She feared 'millions of pounds' could be spent paying compensation to mothers losing their babies as they travel almost 20 miles to the nearest maternity unit.

Charles Everett, chairman of Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust (PCT), said: "The safety of women and their babies is our prime concern.

"We believe changes are needed to specialist obstetric services to make sure they can continue to be safe into the future.

"National guidance is changing. This will require a greater consultant presence for units dealing with higher risk deliveries, sufficient specialist cases to keep doctors' skills up to date and to make the best use of their expertise.

"Our aim is to ensure we can deliver this and the right staff with the right skills are in the right place to provide the highest quality of care."

John Barnes, chairman of East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT, said: "We want to hear from as many people as possible during the consultation.

"We already know the hospital campaign groups have developed ideas, which we look forward to discussing with them."

Public meetings will be held as part of the four-month consultation. The first three meetings are listed right. A consultation document and summary will be available and there will be additional information and a feedback facility on a website.