PRINCESS ROYAL COULD BECOME A COTTAGE HOSPITAL, MP TOLD

At least one option being considered for the future of the Princess Royal Hospital could include its effective closure as a mainstream hospital, Lewes MP Norman Baker has learnt.

Under the plans, the hospital would end up resembling no more than a cottage hospital, along the lines of the Victoria Hospital in Lewes, providing community facilities such as screening, and minor operations and a minor injuries unit only. A&E facilities would be lost entirely to Brighton, with services such as obstetrics being spread between Worthing, Brighton and Eastbourne.

The information given to Mr Baker came from a senior source within the NHS in East Sussex.

The MP says: "My constituents in Wivelsfield, Chailey, Newick and surrounding areas will be rightly horrified that such an option is even on the table. It seems within the minds of the management of the NHS in this area, it is no longer a question of whether the PRH is downgraded, but how far and how quickly.

"This is clearly being driven by severe financial pressures, and we are now seeing different localities and different NHS Trusts desperately fighting their corner and hoping they won't be left standing when the music stops.

"Behind the scenes, it is clear that the PRH is being squeezed hard. Under these circumstances, it is vital all of us, from all sections of the community, come together to oppose any cuts to provision at the PRH. For my part, I have made it plain to Nicholas Soames that I am very willing to work with other MPs to make common cause... I actually think the campaign to save the Princess Royal will carry more weight if it is not seen in Whitehall as one involving MPs only of the Conservative variety."