Divide and rule claim on NHS

Consultations in West Sussex have been suspended while those in the east of the county will go ahead.

Mr Hendry wrote to Candy Morris, chief executive of the strategic health authority,saying:

'As you will be aware, many of my constituents in the Uckfield area use the NHS facilities at the Princess Royal in West Sussex and separate consultation exercises will make it much more difficult for a 'holistic' approach to be taken.

'Separate consultations will mean that decisions will be made on the future facilities at Eastbourne, on the assumption that patients from the greater Uckfield area will continue to use the Princess Royal. However, if it is subsequently decided to reduce those facilities at the PRH, then it will be too late to consider whether the healthcare interests of those patients would be best looked after at Eastbourne DGH rather than in Brighton hospitals.

'This appears to be a "divide and rule" approach which could be seriously to the detriment of the interests of many of my constituents. I would strongly urge you to reconsider this decision and to ensure that there are simultaneous consultations for both counties.'