The only local representative on the PCT Board which decided to downgrade St Richard's has hit back at criticism after he missed the vital meeting which made the decision public.
Norman Robson is a non-executive director of the PCT.
He lives in Sidlesham – our nearest representative, with the bulk of the Board living in the Worthing area.
Reader P Sandbrook of Selsey criticised Mr Robson for failing to attend the meetin
g.
But writing to the Observer, Mr Robson said: "Mr Sandbrook wrote residents of the Manhood peninsula felt let down by the Board decision to recommend Worthing Hospital as the MGH.
"He also commented on my failure to attend the Board meeting on June 4 at which the hospital recommendation was made.
"I would like Mr Sandbrook to know I have attended every Board meeting since my appointment in October 2006 with the exception of the meeting of June 4.
"This meeting was arranged subsequent to a long-standing holiday commitment although I fully participated in the directors' meeting on May 22 during which both hospitals made their presentations to the board and at which we diligently scored and weighted the relevant factors associated with accessibility, clinical sustainability etc.
"It was at this earlier meeting our recommendations were formulated although they were presented to the public at the meeting on June 4.
"I provided a letter to the chair of the PCT which he duly read out to the public meeting to ensure my absence could not be construed as any form of dissent from the Board recommendation.
"Indeed, I fully supported the recommendation in company with the other voting directors as that letter made clear.
"Although I live in Sidlesham it is necessary for me to consider my responsibilities as county-wide within the PCT.
"Although I remain entirely sympathetic to the travel issues of those on the Manhood peninsula and Selsey, as I experience such difficulties almost daily, it is with this in mind I shall be doing all within my power within the PCT to ensure the problems for Manhood residents are ameliorated in accessing those aspects of hospital care which will not be available at St Richard's."
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The full article contains 439 words and appears in OS-Chichester Observer newspaper.
