It’s summer! The Carnival and Eastbourne Tennis Open have been great successes again this year, and our picturesque town is glistening in the sun. Sadly though, we must continue to fight to save local consultant-led maternity and paediatric provision at our DGH, which casts a gloomier note over our town’s tremendous success with unemployment figures and local jobs initiatives. Read on:
Last week the Health Scrutiny and Overview Committee (HOSC) at the County Council met to discuss their view of the consultation process and findings of our local CCG (Clinical Commissioning Groups) on the future of maternity and paediatric services, following the temporary move of consultant-led maternity and paediatrics from our own DGH to the Conquest Hospital in Hastings. The first motion for them to vote on was crucial and was put forward by Cllr Alan Shuttleworth. He is my Head of Office, but is on HOSC in his capacity as the County Councillor for Langney. The motion was explicit in that it proposed that the CCG’s consultation process was flawed as it did not include the 7th option, as proposed by the SavetheDGH campaign’s Option 7, which called for consultant-led maternity at both sites.
I am really disappointed to have to report that Alan’s motion lost by just one vote, by 5 votes to 6. The motion expressed the view that there had been a shortfall in the consultation process with the omission of option 7. It didn’t say that we were 100% right and the CCG totally wrong. What it proposed was the whole issue should be referred up to the Secretary of State for Health for proper independent clinical scrutiny. I think this was eminently sensible so it was a real blow to lose by only one vote! I would like to thank the UKIP Seaford Councillor, the Labour Representative from Hastings and the Independent Councillor from Lewes who joined Cllr Shuttleworth and his colleague, Old Town Cllr John Ungar, in trying to stop something that I, Liz Walke and many others believe is ultimately bad for local families, the DGH and our town.
The final decision that could permanently rob us of our vital consultant-led maternity unit and inpatient paediatric service will be coming on the 10th July at the next HOSC committee, so it is absolutely imperative everybody writes to the Councillors on HOSC asking that they support full maternity provision at our hospitals. You can work out who your local representative is here – they may not sit on HOSC, but some of their party colleagues will and they must know the depth of feeling in our town.
- Many of you will be aware from the TV coverage that our local CCG voted for option 6 at their meeting yesterday. This, sadly, retains the status quo which means that consultant-led maternity will not be returned to DGH and remains only at the Conquest. It is no disrespect at all towards our own fine midwife-led service at the DGH for me to say how incredibly saddened and disappointed I was at the CCG’s decision. I have a follow up meeting with their Chair, Dr Martin Writer, today to see if anything can be salvaged from the decision. Meanwhile, it’s down to the HOSC meeting on the 10th of July!
You probably have seen the fantastic news; unemployment has fallen again in Eastbourne and Willingdon with claimant levels down to 3.5%. These levels haven’t been this low since before the General Election! These astonishing figures are a direct result of the successes we’re having when our town pulls together. Having already achieved great things with our ‘100 in 100 Apprenticeship Campaign,’ my ‘100 x 3 Work Experience Campaign’ (which is focussing on long term unemployed) is still going from strength to strength with over 119 companies and organisations joining my initiative. More than ever before it shows what’s possible when we all work together. I’ve also been very active on apprenticeships up in Parliament, hosting an event in support of the agenda nationally – everyone seems to agree that the UK can take a leaf out of our book! See here and here for more info.
You may have heard the news that the Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team is fighting off the threat of closure, which could be tragic considering the vital and literally lifesaving work they carry out. I met with the Director, Mark Pybus, the other day in Westminster to express my thanks at the profound commitment given to the work that they do. They have set up a Virgin Money Giving Page, and has already attracted almost £10,000 in donations. If you would like to join me in supporting this excellent cause, donations can be made through the Team’s website www.bhct.org.uk or through this site. See here for more info.
I was invited to take part in the A27 reference group recently, which convenes to oversee the Department for Transport’s A27 investigation. This meeting was called to scrutinise the evidence gathered to support the improvement of the road, and made sure the Department were aware how underrepresented Eastbourne was in their first draft this has now been put right (particular thanks to the Eastbourne Chamber for their submission). While it was never in doubt that we would make it through to the next round, it was good to see our message has been received when they described the A27 east of Lewes as ‘below average’ with ‘safety issues’ and issues of capacity. See here for more info.
Dementia Care is an issue which affects hundreds of people in Eastbourne and I continue to take a very active role on it both locally, and nationally through my position as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia. I had the pleasure of visiting two dementia centres in Eastbourne in the same week; Milton Court in Old Town and Ivy House Day Centre in Upperton. Both provide outstanding provision to people with dementia. Last week I also attended an event at the Irish Embassy that recognised the fantastic work done by dementia carers across Britain and Ireland. It is estimated there are over 800,000 people with this dreadful condition across the UK, and at least 1,500 in Eastbourne alone, so it is essential that people have access to the services and care they require. See here for more info.
As I said at the top, Eastbourne is currently buzzing, and there are a couple of events coming up over the next few months that could do with all our support. Firstly, Airbourne is of course coming down the track (or should I say through the skies!). As you’ll all know the bucket collection is an integral part of its ongoing success. They are looking for volunteers to help with the bucket collection this year – If anyone is interested, please contact Marco Giorgio on this email address. And on a separate note, it may seem early, but the Chamber is already in planning for this year’s Christmas lights. They’re looking for everyone’s opinion, so I would be grateful if you could take a minute to fill in this survey. Really good festive lights in the Town Centre would, I’m sure, give everyone a real lift.
Lots going on – mostly really positive for Eastbourne but please do keep pressing all the members of HOSC so they make the right decision on the 10th July!
All the best
