I refer to today's maternity decision. First, I must say I am delighted full maternity services are to be retained in both Hastings and Eastbourne.
That is great news for both towns - more so Eastbourne because that was the town which would have l
ost out.
Full credit to all the campaigners in Eastbourne who fought such a strong battle - and won. I didn't think they would.
But let's look at the facts.
These health bosses are VERY highly-paid people, and the local Primary Care Trust - led by the now departed chief executive Nick Yeo - was very clear.
It said services should be centralised at Hastings.
Because:
1. It would be safer to have one specialist unit
2. It would avoid future staffing problems.
Their case was clear, and they ploughed on with it - despite uproar from the people of Eastbourne.
GP Greg Wilcox from Hastings was among those putting forward their case. What he must be thinking tonight - his credibility thrown out of the window.
We had to assume that these PCT bods knew what they were talking about -to them Hastings was the choice for the centralisation of services.
The campaigners fought for an independent review - and thankfully that is what they got.
And the result - the PCT judgement was wrong and services should be maintained at both hospitals.
That is a shocking verdict on our PCT, on Nick Yeo himself, on Greg Wilcox, and others.
This is a disgrace - if Nick Yeo was still in post here, he should have been sacked. Hampshire are welcome to him.
The PCT has got it hopelessly wrong, and heads must roll, Mr Charles Everett and co. They must feel thoroughly ashamed of themselves.
They have let down the people they serve, and wasted £400k in consultation along the way.
What a shocking state of affairs, and to our Labour MP Michael Foster, a terrible way to run the NHS.
You couldn't make up such a farce...........
But at least - and most importantly - maternity services are saved. And for that we should be grateful.
Peter Lindsey,
Editor
