Historic Shoreham hospital's future up for discussion (From The Argus)

Historic Shoreham hospital's future up for discussion

3:30pm Thursday 11th March 2010

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The future of an historic community hospital is to come under the spotlight.

Health bosses are drawing up long term plans for Southlands Hospital in Shoreham to try to make better use of the site.

The hospital has a £17 million repair backlog and many parts of it have been mothballed.

The move is likely to reignite concerns that the hospital will be sold off to developers.

However Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust says its has no plans to close it and insists it is committed to keeping the site.

The hospital currently provides a range of services including day surgery, outpatients, physiotherapy, dermatology, rehabilitation and care of the elderly.

Managers want to develop Southlands as a multi-use healthcare facility but some services such as elderly care and sexual health could be moved to Worthing Hospital instead.

GP services could also be set up in part of the hospital.

The trust will be liaising with local residents, staff, councillors and the West Sussex health overview and scrutiny committee on the plans.

If major proposals are eventually put forward it could lead to a public consultation for the area.

Southlands was recently part of the controversial Fit for the Future public consultation which proposed a major shake up of hospital services across West Sussex.

Health bosses had wanted to provide more locally based community services while downgrading some accident and emergency and maternity departments.

The plans were eventually abandoned following a major campaign by thousands of people across the county who said lives would be put at risk.

Campaigner Ed Hayes, of Hammy Lane, Shoreham, said: “The buildings at Southlands are not in a particularly good condition but it is a good hospital and it should be used more.

“We've always been worried that it would be sold off but this sounds like they are planning to keep it. I just hope things stay that way.”

Trust director of strategy Nick Fox said: “We are committed to retaining a safe and effective range of services for our patients at Southlands hospital.

“A number of possible options are now being discussed with our staff and clinicians.

“These will be shared with the public when more clearly defined.”

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