Not long to wait

Kim Hodgson, who heads East Sussex Hospitals Trust which runs both the Conquest and DGH in Eastbourne, announced the local Primary Care Trust (PCT) is set to end months of speculation.

The PCT, which pays for health treatment in the region, has been in extensive talks with the hospitals trust and other health care providers and will put forward a series of options about the future of both hospitals.

This is looks likely to include a recommendation to close the obstetric department at either the Conquest or DGH.

The ward closure would be an immensely unpopular move in either town, as was clearly illustrated by recent protest marches which attracted more than 12,000 demonstrators.

Ms Hodgson said she welcomed the strength of support for the hospitals shown by the residents of both towns.

She said the Trust did not know exactly what the PCT is due to propose but insisted the public will have a chance to have their say during a consultation period, which is expected to last around three months.

She said: "I know what the range of options are but the devil will be in the detail.

"Like everyone else we want to keep two hospitals with a range of services but we do need to get the health economy in balance.

"The document will put forward how primary care can be provided and the Trust will support that if it's what the community wants and what the PCT can afford."

The Trust has made a series of recommendations but the final options for 'reconfiguration' of services at both hospitals will be decided by the PCT.

ALL student nurses who qualify at the end of their current training at the Conquest will be offered jobs, contrary to earlier rumours.

It had been feared the student nurses could find themselves without work at the end of their training due to cost-cutting at the hospital.

But Kim Hodgson, chief executive of East Sussex Hospitals Trust which runs the Conquest, said last week: "I am pleased to say that of the 43 student nurses expected to qualify at the end of September, they have all been offered posts within the Trust and we wish them well with their future nursing careers."