MP reacts to the results of DGH survey
Stephen Lloyd
Stephen Lloyd, the MP for Eastbourne, has welcomed the findings of a survey which asked DGH consultants whether or not they were in favour of NHS plans to centralise key service.
The LibDem has long been a supporter of the Save the DGH campaign team and has lobbied both East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and colleagues in Westminster in a bid to prevent stroke care, orthopaedics and general surgery from being concentrated at either the DGH or its sister site in Hastings.
In the Gazette’s sister paper, the Herald, it was revealed on Friday that of 103 consultants who responded to the survey, just one said they were in favour of the Trust’s overall plans regarding the three departments.
That meant 97 per cent of consultants quizzed were against plans to focus emergency provisions in each area on just one site.
And that was music to Mr Lloyd’s ears. The MP said, “I have always believed that expert clinical opinion at the DGH was against the Trust’s proposals to downgrade our hospital, and I am encouraged to see these figures prove this.
“I was also pleased see that many of the key points echo the points that the cross-party Save the DGH campaign and myself have been making. The Trust board and senior managers must listen and act accordingly.”
A spokesman for the Trust countered, “These proposals are about how we get the best possible stroke, emergency and higher risk general surgery and emergency and higher risk orthopaedic services in East Sussex.
“The changes will affect less than one per cent of people who use our hospitals each year and these people would have vastly improved care as a result.
“We are absolutely convinced that these proposals will not only be better for the immediate delivery of the services but will also very clearly demonstrate that we are willing to embrace the necessary change that will stand us in good stead for the future.”
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Tuesday 21 May 2013
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