Losing baby unit will just be the start

EASTBOURNE could be left with little more than a cottage hospital if controversial proposals by NHS chiefs go ahead, a GP has warned.

Dr John Clarke, who has practised in the town for 32 years, also branded the proposals as 'irresponsible'.

He said, "It is inconceivable that a core emergency service, such as obstetrics, should not be consultant-led at either the DGH or Conquest hospital.

"They (bosses] seem to be saying that mothers and babies are not as important as any other group of patients who require emergency medical care.

"I find it quite irresponsible that these four options should be put forward."

The GP, who was medical director for the former Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust (PCT) for 10 years, said if the DGH's obstetrics unit, which deals with complicated pregnancies, goes, a 'domino effect' would set in leading to the loss of all main services.

Dr Clarke said, "The DGH could lose its gynaecology unit and in turn its Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU).

"If that happened we could see the loss of children's hospital services and a possible drop in the number of anaesthetists.

"When you start cutting back on that you lose some surgical services.

"It is then only a short hop to losing trauma and A&E services."

Dr Clarke said similar situations had happened elsewhere in the country such as Canterbury in Kent.

"This is a potential situation. It may not happen but if it does we will be left very much with a downsized hospital," he added.

The GP, based at Enys Road Surgery, feared babies' lives will be lost if the DGH loses its maternity unit.

"If you make it much more difficult for patients to access this service there will inevitably be increased litigation costs in the future if it can be proved that a baby's death was linked to this," he said.

The doctor, who is also a medical advisor for the Save the DGH campaign, said the proposals will not save money in the long term as any legal costs would outweigh any potential savings.

Dr Clarke also branded the proposals 'illogical' as Eastbourne was becoming a fast growing town.

He said, "We do not have any cottage hospitals in our catchment area so it is not as if we can put any services there."