Call to boosthealthcare inBognor first

The demand came from Arun District Council's members after their latest debate on the future of NHS hospitals in West Sussex.

They called on the West Sussex Primary Care Trust to commit itself to boost healthcare at Bognor's hospital as well as build a new hospital at Littlehampton before any changes to the major hospitals at Chichester and Worthing.

The decision came at a special meeting called to decide the council's formal response to the trust's consultation about its proposals. These could see the A and E and maternity services at St Richard's Hospital or Worthing scrapped.

Council leader Cllr Gill Brown said: 'There is no justification for downgrading our hospitals and we do not support any of the options put forward by the PCT.

'The reaction of our local residents to the possibility that they could lose acute services at Worthing or St Richard's has been unprecedented and is matched wholeheartedly by members of their council.

'We insist that the status quo should be maintained until such a time that improvements to community and primary services can justify a reduction in acute hospital provision.

'This issue has been one of the biggest to face Arun residents in recent years and has caused a great deal of anxiety. They have been fighting for their future health provision and we back that fight.'

Representatives from the PCT took questions from the public, guests and councillors at the meeting. Among those who attended were local MPs as well as senior medical staff from Worthing Hospital.

Cllr Mrs Brown urged all residents to make their responses to the consultation before the closing date of November 14.