There are still a few days left to respond to the consultation on the changes to local hospital services.

The next step in the process is for the two health authorities involved to meet in public to discuss the responses to the consultation.

This meeting will take place on November 2 in Clare Hall, Haywards Heath.

This CHC thinks the meeting should be in Brighton and Hove - after all, many thousands will be expected to travel from this area to Haywards Heath and just 110 people travel in the opposite direction.

Although the meeting is held in public, it is not a meeting that allows for public participation.

However, it is held in public to demonstrate the openness and accountability of the decision-makers.

I have written to Alan Bedford, chief executive of our health authority, saying the meeting should be in the city area.

After all, there is no shortage of possible venues and it is the population of this area that is most affected by the proposed changes.

Surely our local residents should be allowed to see fair play in the decision-making process? What do our local residents think?

-Mike Collinson, Chief Officer, Brighton, Hove and Lewes CHC