Closure plan for maternity unit

The campaign groups joined together to fight for both hospitals

A long-running battle to keep full maternity services at two hospitals in East Sussex appears to have been lost.

Health bosses are recommending that a single consultant-led maternity unit should be based in Hastings, with Eastbourne having midwife care.

The plan will be considered at a board meeting of two primary care trusts (PCTs) next Thursday.

Protesters fighting against the downgrading of either hospital sent petitions to Downing Street.

Public fears were first raised in early 2006 over the possible loss of maternity services at either Eastbourne District General Hospital or the Conquest Hospital, Hastings.

'Safer service'

The Save Eastbourne DGH and Hands Off The Conquest campaign groups organised protest marches and the issue was raised by local MPs in the House of Commons.

But Nick Yeo, chief executive of the East Sussex Downs and Weald and Hastings and Rother PCTs, has now said "the consultant-led maternity service should be based in Hastings".

It is proposed a special care baby unit and inpatient gynaecology services would also be sited in Hastings, with Eastbourne having a midwife-led birthing centre similar to an existing one in Crowborough.

Mr Yeo said there were also plans for strengthened maternity services in the community, ambulance crews trained in "advanced obstetric life support" and a "robust transport plan" to deal with issues of pregnant women getting to Hastings.

The plans would see a midwife-led birthing centre in Eastbourne

He said he believed the recommendations would "offer a safer service for the women of East Sussex".

But Eastbourne campaigner Liz Walke said "overwhelming evidence" had been presented that having one consultant-led unit would be "dangerous for women and babies".

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson said the recommendation was "a shock but not a surprise".

He added: "Residents are now relying on the non-executive directors of the PCTs to speak up for the needs of local people."

In Hastings, campaigner Margaret Williams said she thought the plans were "disgraceful".

She added: "It sits uneasily with me - of course I'm glad that the Conquest is keeping full services, but it's sad that Eastbourne aren't also.

"I can't live with my conscience if I don't carry on the fight with Eastbourne.

"I'm afraid I must come back to my old saying, that mothers or babies will die [without full maternity services at both hospitals]."