SAVE OUR HOSPITALS: Health secretary invited to hear council's views

The county council cabinet agreed to invite the Health Secretary, or a representative from his office, and the West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) to the full council to hear for themselves the strength of feeling in West Sussex against the proposals.

The council will also debate a draft Notice of Motion on the proposals by the PCT, which could see West Sussex hospitals downgraded to lose A&E facilities.

The council meeting takes place on Friday, October 12, at 10.30am, at County Hall in Chichester. The meeting is also being webcast for people who are unable to attend in person.

County council deputy leader, Mike Coleman, said: "The options as proposed by the PCT do not take into account the fact that West Sussex has an ageing population, the additional travel which would be required, a lack of infrastructure and the fact the government is wanting thousands more homes in the county.

"The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said we should be able to choose which hospital we go to, but the Fit for the Future proposals take that choice away for West Sussex residents."

County council leader, Henry Smith, said: "The current options will have a knock-on effect on the surrounding counties with West Sussex residents forced to use neighbouring hospital services.

"We accept that change is a way of life, but only where it improves services, not reduces them."

The webcast of the meeting will be available via the county council website at www.westsussex.gov.uk