SAVE OUR HOSPITALS: People have won the argument

AFTER Worthing Hospital was chosen as the major general hospital for West Sussex, the East Worthing and Shoreham branch of the Labour Party sent the following statement:

VICTORY. Huge thanks is due to everyone who has contributed to this historic moment.

The people have won the argument.

The Primary Care Trust who conducted the review without flinching, with good grace under sometimes intense political fire and buffeted by conflicting demands, listened to the evidence, adapting its plans accordingly, and finally came to the conclusion whose logic had become inescapable.

The WASH Consultants Group worked tirelessly to research and present the evidence upon which this decision is ultimately based.

Their achievement is all the more remarkable in that they are not professional politicians or administrators but incredibly busy doctors responsible for life and death decisions.

That they found the energy, commitment and organisation to research and lobby at the same time as being senior consultants in a major hospital is hugely impressive.

We owe them.

The local MP's, Peter Bottomley and Tim Loughton, were boundlessly energetic in mobilising support through their KWASH campaign.