NHS consultation a 'total nonsense' - MP

'I know that, like me, most of my constituents will be hugely disappointed by the options announced today.

'Health bosses seem to have wholly ignored the campaigns in both Eastbourne and Hastings to retain full consultant-led maternity units in both hospitals.

This is not even presented as one of the options for public consultation,' he said.

'To my mind, this makes a total nonsense of the whole consultation process, and merely serves to confirm the suspicions that a decision was made some time ago to downgrade one of the units.

"At the same time, I welcome the indication that at least for the moment there are to be no changes to A&E or paediatrics. This is a signal victory for our campaign.

'ut I would urge the PCT Boards at their meeting this Friday to insert an Option 5 based on the status quo and building on the technical work done over recent months by our campaign team.

'Only then will local people feel their views are being taken seriously.'