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'We're on cloud nine'
CAMPAIGNERS who have staged a two-year battle to keep full maternity services at the DGH spoke yesterday of their delight at winning the fight.
The decision by the Independent Reconfiguration Panel to support full maternity services at the DGH came just two days ahead of the second anniversary of a major public demonstration over the issue.
It was at this time in 2006 when several thousand people, led by leading figures from the Save the DGH Campaign, marched from The Avenue to Kings Drive where a rally took place.
It underlined the massive community support for the efforts of the campaigners.
Campaigners were euphoric over their victory and the decision of the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, to back the IRP's finding that moving pregnant women to Hastings would be unsafe.
Save The DGH Campaign chairman Liz Walke said, "We are absolutely delighted. Many thanks to all those individuals, who are huge in number, that have supported us throughout this long hard battle for two-and-a-half years.
"Every single person has been significant in this campaign and that it why it has had the impact that it has."
The campaign was prepared to seek a judicial review over the PCTs' decision to downgrade maternity at the DGH, and Liz had put up her home as security for part of the cost of the fight.
Monica Corrina-Kavakli, an Eastbourne mother, said, "I'm on cloud nine at the moment, completely overwhelmed by the decision and very surprised because the IRP was very tough on us and gave us a really hard time.
"We came out of our meetings with the IRP feeling so disheartened and again that no-one was listening to us but finally someone has in fact sat down and listened to the real people affected.
"I'm so proud of Eastbourne.
"So many people said the people of Eastbourne would not stand up for what they believed in but we can all be proud that we fought for what we deserved."
Vincent Argent, a retired consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at the DGH, said the result showed the naivety of the PCTs' 'amateurish' consultation document for cutting maternity services, which did not give the option of having consultant-led services in both Eastbourne and Hastings.
He said, "I don't know the cost of the consultation but if you consider the cost of bringing in management consultants, staff salaries and all the hours spent at meetings by highly-paid people it must have cost 400,000, which is a complete waste of money which could have been put into women and children's health services to improve the present service."
Dr John Clarke, retired partner of Enys Road Surgery and a fervent Save the DGH campaigner, said, "The Save the DGH campaign commitee has worked tirelessly to safeguard our core services, and we have been fortunate to enjoy huge support from the general public. Common sense has prevailed!"
Ex-mayor of Eastbourne Colin Belsey, who led the first protest march against the move, said, "Liz Walke has been fantastic and richly deserves the town's thanks. I have always believed that with people like Right Rev Wallace Benn (Bishop of Lewes] involved and a lot of support and prayer from all the churches of Eastbourne, God would not fail the town — and he has not.
"My only fear is that the PCT will look at some other way of saving money, which I still believe was the reason for its actions. Eastbourne will not let this happen."
MPs in the catchment area of the DGH's maternity ward also expressed their delight.
Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson said, "This is an amazing result for people power. Local people were convinced that these proposals posed risks to babies and mothers and they supported our campaign magnificently.
"They have marched, signed our petition and contributed generously to the legal challenge. I could not be prouder of my constituents."
Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker said, "This is particularly good news for my constituents in Seaford, Polegate and Alfriston, who were facing the prospect of a long trek to Hastings or one to the already overwhelmed Brighton hospital.
"Well done, Alan Johnson. It is good to see there is at least one Minister who is listening to the public."
Stephen Lloyd, Eastbourne's Liberal Democrat parliamentary campaigner, said, "This is sensational news for all of us in Eastbourne. It is a real victory for common sense and local residents"
The Bishop of Lewes, the Right Rev Wallace Benn, a Save the DGH supporter, said, "Sanity has prevailed!
"The dangerous downgrading of our hospital has been stopped, at least for the moment.
"I'm absolutely delighted with the outcome, which is a great tribute to all those who worked hard in the Save the DGH campaign."
Sandy Medway, a former non-executive director of East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust and a trustee for the Save the DGH charitable appeal, said, "I was delighted to hear the news.
"Both my daughters are expecting babies due in February and March and as a family we have been very anxious about what might happen if they suddenly needed emergency care, as happened once before.
"This is excellent news for local women."
East Sussex County Council's health overview scrutiny committee (HOSC) was responsible for calling on the Government to make the final decision on maternity.
The committee chair, Cllr Sylvia Tidy, said, "HOSC called in the Secretary of State because we as local councillors were unconvinced by the proposals. The committee felt an independent review was necessary to check that the plans were safe for local people.
"Our own findings have now been validated by the IRP and the ruling by the Secretary of State and our priority now is to work with the PCTs to ensure local people continue to receive the high standards of maternity care they need, at both Eastbourne and Hastings."
n Herald Opinion: page six
victoria.allen@trbeckett.co.uk
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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