WORTHING HOSPITAL SAVED: Timeline

Follow the Herald's timeline to today (Wednesday, May 28) when the PCT announced it was recommending Worthing Hospital as the major general hospital for West Sussex.

2006

May '“ the Herald reveals staff fears that cash-strapped Worthing Hospital could lose vital services.

June '“ PCT unveils a health review called Fit for the Future which could see Worthing losing its A&E department.

Then health bosses at the PCT deal senior doctors a "devastating" blow by admitting Worthing Hospital could actually face a total closure.

July '“ a campaign to stop any plans to downgrade Worthing Hospital kicks off with local MPs, hospital staff and many patients coming forward to offer their support.

The KWASH '“ Keep Worthing And Southlands Hospitals '“ campaign group is formed.

August '“ hundreds of people march along Worthing seafront to a public meeting held by health bosses at the Pavilion.

September '“ the KWASH campaign launches mascot Nurse Sunshine to be the face of the fight to save Worthing and Southlands.

October '“ in a huge display of anger at the proposals, more than 5,000 people joined hands around Worthing and Southlands Hospitals.

November '“ TV favourite Des Lynam adds his backing to the campaign and says closing the hospital would be "moving back to the dark ages".

December '“ the then Worthing mayor Tom Wye leads the way in a 24-hour vigil outside Worthing Hospital.

2007

January '“ police and Worthing businesses raise their concerns over the threats to Worthing Hospital.

February '“ Protesters plead with health bosses not to take the heart of the NHS at a Valentine's Day gathering.

March '“ Worthing Hospital is on standby to take patients from a packed Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton '“ ironic since if Worthing closed, the Royal Sussex would have even more patients to deal with.

April '“ the public consultation into the Fit for the Future plans is delayed yet again, this time until June.

June '“ the consultation documents are finally published and reveal two out of the three options would see Worthing Hospital downgraded.

July '“ up to 300 people are locked out of a PCT meeting at the Charmandean Centre, Worthing.

Campaign chairman Tom Wye chains himself to the PCT's headquarters in Goring.

September '“ GPs opposed to any downgrading proposals at Worthing add their names to a list.

October '“ Worthing campaigners take a battle bus to London and take a 175,000 signature petition to Downing Street.

In the same month, PCT bosses reveal they will consider an option put together by consultants which would see A&E services retained at both Worthing and St Richard's in Chichester.

November '“ campaigners stage a 24-hour vigil at Worthing Hospital the night before the public consultation officially ends.

2008

May 7 '“ the option devised by clinicians for A&E and related services to be retained at both Worthing and St Richard's is selected by the PCT board.

May 28 '“ the PCT reveals Worthing has been recommended to become the county's major hospital, retaining all of its services and more.

Click here for more hospital campaign news.

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