Service redesign for quality or cuts by another name!

HANDS OF OUR NHS

Today a so-called public consultation began on Worthing and Southlands Hospitals by NHS West Sussex and Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust. This is expected to go on for the next 3 months.

The proposals include:

1. The transfer of orphopaedics and elderly care from Southlands to Worthing Hospital.
2. Building 2 new operating theatres for orthopaedic surgery at Worthing.
3. Moving ophthalmology services from Worthing and St Richard’s, Chichester to Southlands.
4. Creating 60 extra beds in Worthing if the proposals are agreed.
5. Southlands will have 150 less in patient beds and will become a centre for outpatients, diagnostics and day surgery.
6. 25 new community beds and support for GP’s will be provided.

Now why is this being proposed? Is it to lead to a more efficient patient care programme or simply the result of cuts to front line services by the ConDems? So much for the NHS being safe in their hands.

The people of Worthing and Chichester both deserve a first class NHS service in their areas. Promises of extra beds in one hospital, whilst cutting in another, is the same as robbing Peter to pay Paul. It does not wash with us.

The private consortiums of GP practices will use the extra beds at taxpayers expense. This is about preparing the NHS for privatization and cuts.

The response of the local community, health workers, patients and health unions will be what it has always been.

Keep your hands off our NHS.

Fully fund free healthcare for all.

Tax the rich

This so-called attempt to rationalize the NHS is a cut by another name.

No to privatization of our NHS.

Tell them what you think.

The public consultation, which ends on April 29, includes several public meetings.

The first is on Tuesday, February 8 from 2pm-4pm, in the Seaview Room, Southlands Hospital.

Meetings will then be held, 6.30pm-8.30pm, on:

 March 3 at the Shoreham Centre,

Pond Road

.

 March 10 at Littlehampton Town Council,

Church Street

.

 March 15 at the postgraduate medical centre, Worthing Hospital.

 March 22 at Southwick Community Centre,

Southwick Street

.

Full details of the plans will be published at www.westernsussexhospitals.nhs.uk from Monday, February 7.

To order a copy of the consultation document including the feedback form, call 01903 285222 ext 4038 or email consultationfeedback@wsht.nhs.uk

Worthing Solidarity Network, the local anti-cuts campaigning group, intends to campaign against all cuts to the NHS and other public services, opposing the privatisation of health care.

http://worthingsolidaritynetwork.blogspot.com/

Next meeting of WSN:  8pm Wednesday February 9 At The Downview Pub Opposite West Worthing Station