Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Bognor Regis and Littlehampton Simon McDougall has slammed the recommendations for St Richard’s Hospital for ignoring public opinion and turning the hospital into a glorified satellite centre for Worthing. Commenting on the proposals Mr McDougall said” Local residents need to wake up to the reality of these proposals and what they mean to those who are pregnant, serious injured, seriously ill or have children with long term health problems. They will in the longer term need to go to either Worthing or Portsmouth for emergency treatment. This situation is unacceptable and will undoubtedly put lives at risk”
The proposals to make Worthing the only major general hospital in west Sussex are due to be ratified by the PCT on Wednesday 4th June. Mr McDougall went on to say “ With a growing population and a totally ineffective road network the revelation that blue light times were not a material consideration in the final decision is in my view bordering on negligence. No matter what way these proposals are window dressed they can not get away from the fact that journey times will be longer and potentially lives will be put at risk. The A27 is not likely to see any improvements in the near future and anybody with a knowledge of local geography can tell the PCT these services will not work unless the A27 and the A259 are upgraded to meet the demands of the new service provision”.
