Worthing Hospital is under threat.
NHS South East Coast, until July 1st known as Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority, are considering a number of options for the future of Worthing Hospital. These options include downgrading the hospital by closing the Accident and Emergency unit, or possibly closure of the entire hospital.
Having lived in Worthing for eighteen years, I consider myself fortunate to have only needed their services twice for myself (thanks to Mr Liston, Sarah and Julie on Chiltington and Kim on Botolphs, amongst others). On both occasions the treatment and care I received were exemplary. If Worthing loses its A&E department, I would have been sent to Chichester or Brighton.
Worthing has a substantial elderly population, and the delays these journeys would cause may have tragic consequences for those requiring urgent treatment.
NHS staff are under enough pressure without these sorts of threats hanging over them.
Worthing Hospital Accident and Emergency department remains open even though Brighton will occasionally turn people away. What will happen under these circumstances?
You can do something about this. Act NOW! The link below is to a website set up by the local MPs which has an online petition which you can fill in, and also has downloadable petition forms. Print some out and make sure your friends, family and neighbours know about it, and preferably sign it. If you don't want to see any of these threats carried out to your local hospital, make sure your voice is heard. The NHS South East Coast has set a deadline of July 21st for people to let them know their views. Make sure you give them yours. After this date, there should be a public consultation before any decisions are made, so contact NHS South East Coast as soon as you can to let them know your views directly.