Consultation, my foot! Public opinion did the trick for A&E departments

QUESTION: how would you prefer to travel to France? You have three choices:A) walking across the sea floor wearing diving gear;B) swimming across;C) swimming across wearing diving gear.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Nov 2008, 15:04 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 01:27 BST

Most people, including Brian Hughes of the West Sussex Primary Care Trust (Gazette letters, October 30), would rightly ask: "Why isn't one of the choices 'Go by ferry or tunnel'?"

The Fit for the Future "consultation" was equally flawed. Anyone with a grain of common sense could see that, with the A27 as it is, both Worthing and Chichester hospitals need separate A&E departments.

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However, this was not one of the options put forward for "consultation" by the PCT.

After a "consultation" meeting at the Windmill Theatre, I tried to discuss the probable increase in deaths during transportation by ambulance, with a medical consultant on the panel. I was treated with complete disinterest by this very arrogant medic, who had obviously already made up his mind, as had the PCT.

Treatment of acute illness in specific "centres of excellence" is fine; but basic, first response, lifesaving A&E expertise is needed close at hand, and that wasn't one of the options put forward by the PCT for consideration.

Worthing and Chichester are now to continue running A&E Departments solely because of demonstrations, petitions, lobbying and publicity not, Mr Hughes, because of "consultation".

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Mr Hughes says the consultation cost only 0.14 per cent of the PCT's annual budget! The PCT has certainly squandered 1.4m of our money which could have paid for 70 nursing staff at 20,000 each for a year.

At "consultation" meetings, much time was taken up by a video expounding the merits of small local health centres and maternity units.

So, Mr Hughes, if local facilities are as worthwhile as your video presentation suggested, how about making a start on our hospital rebuild now?

David Cohen

The Estuary, Littlehampton

NOTE: All letters must include a name and address which can be withheld by request.

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Related topics:A27WorthingFranceWest SussexChichester