Michael Foster MP

Working for Hastings and Rye

 
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  Hands Off the Conquest! 

Hands off

"Hands Off the Conquest (and that means Maternity too)" says MP.

The job of the Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust is to represent local opinion.  This year they have an extra £14million to spend.  Next year a further £14million.  It’s all needed of course but with that sort of extra money they are not strapped for cash.

When it came to the Accident & Emergency debate we said “Hands Off the Conquest” and we won.  Thanks to Margaret Williams and the strength of local opinion (and perhaps the visit to the Prime Minister I arranged) the PCT just “didn’t go there!”.

Now maternity is different.  Some say a single site provides a more comprehensive service than two small units in Eastbourne and Hastings.  What I have told the PCT is that whilst I understand the argument between comprehensiveness of service and access my preferred option is to maintain a consultant led service on both sites unless that is inconsistent with safety and the interest of my constituents.

 What I am clear about however (as are all the consultants I have spoken to) is that the Conquest must retain the consultant led service. 

The “why?” is clear given the social disadvantages and the geography of the area.  It is unthinkable that Conquest should lose its consultant led service.

What I have said consistently is that personally I do not see an equality of value in the claims of Hastings and Eastbourne and that therefore if the single site option is decided upon that it must be in Hastings.  That is non-negotiable.

  Hands Off the Conquest! 
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