Liz Walke, centre, and Tim Cobb collect from the public for Eastbourne's maternity ward
Campaigners have taken to the streets in the latest round in their battle to
stop a hospital maternity unit from being downgraded.
Protesters are taking legal action against the decision taken by primary
care trusts in East Sussex to turn the consultant-led maternity unit at
Eastbourne District General Hospital into a midwife-led one.
A fundraising drive to pay for the legal costs has already raised more than
£70,000 and campaigners are calling on everyone in Eastbourne and
surrounding villages to get involved.
Members of the Save the DGH group were joined by Eastbourne MP Nigel
Waterson and Eastbourne Borough Council leader David Tutt as they went on a
vintage bus tour around the town.
They picked up donations from companies and organisations along the way
including £500 from the Sovereign Harbour Residents Association, £500 from
Ellis Builders, £750 from Whiteline Windows, £1,000 from Visick Cars.
Donations also came in from Eastbourne Borough FC, Langley Shopping Centre
and the Arndale Centre.
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Campaign member Liz Walke said: "We are grateful to all those who have made
these large donations and welcome their support.
"It is good to see so many people who care about hospital services in their
town.
"However, we also want to say that every penny counts. If every household in
Eastbourne just donated £1 it would make such a difference.
"No matter how small your donation is, it will help us.
"We intend to fight this decision every step of the way. We know lives will
be put at risk if these changes are allowed to go ahead."
East Sussex Downs and Weald and Hastings and Rother PCTs decided at the end
of last year to press ahead with proposals to centralise consultant and
specialist maternity services at the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards.
The East Sussex health overview and scrutiny committee referred the decision
to Health Secretary Alan Johnson and it is now under review by the
Independent Reconfiguration Panel with a recommendation due in the autumn.
At the same time, campaigners are seeking a judicial review of
the decision and are currently waiting to see if they have formal permission
to go ahead with their case.
Thousands of people went on marches, signed petitions and attended meetings
during the public consultation on the proposals, which was held last summer.
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