Save the DGH Campaign Group formed in 2006, ably led by Chairperson, Liz Walke, a concerned Mum worried about what was happening to local health services. She was strongly supported by medics, businesses, community and church leaders, as well as cross party groups who were also worried enough to campaign publicly alongside her to protest against NHS leaders at Eastbourne District General Hospital removing local Obstetrics and other essential Core Services. The difficult decision to close the campaign group was made by non-political members of the group and you can read Liz Walke's closure announcement HERE. This website will also be closing in due course.
Recently during Covid I had to have an operation at Bexhill Hospital (rather than at Eastbourne DGH which is close to where I live). I was told I must not drive myself (as I would be unable to drive back). Now I was very fortunate in that my son-in-law took me but it set me thinking what would be necessary if I had to use public transport.
I found:
Then after the operation they were most concerned that I had no one with me (until I explained where my son-in-law was). They also explained that I really needed to be taken home by car (taxi was fine). So what if I had no relatives to provide transport or could not afford the taxi? Well to be fair there is some provision if you qualify - please see Sussex Non-Emergency Patient Transport. That said they really must consider these difficulties if there are any further proposed centralisation of services to a single site. If you have any thoughts on this please do contact us at info@savethedgh.org.uk.
There are plans for refurbishment and some rebuilding of Bexhill, Eastbourne and Hastings hospitals and they are seeking feedback! Please do "have your say" using and ask for all core services (including Maternity) to be returned to Eastbourne DGH. We live in a big and growing town that needs all core services locally in Eastbourne, not miles away along difficult roads.
Each Baby Counts is a national quality improvement programme led by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) to reduce the number of babies who die or are left severely disabled as a result of incidents occurring during term labour. In individual maternity units, these events are rare and it is therefore difficult to see clear patterns or identify how best to avoid them. The Each Baby Counts programme brings together the results of local investigations across all four nations of the UK into stillbirths, neonatal deaths and brain injuries occurring during term labour to understand the bigger picture, share the lessons learned and prevent babies from dying or suffering brain injuries in the future. The report (click here to read/download) presents key findings based on the analysis of data relating to the care given to mothers and babies throughout the UK in 2018. It also takes a retrospective look at the key learning points and the impact of Each Baby Counts over time since its inception.
Contact us:
email:info@savethedgh.org.uk
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PLEASE READ "Save the DGH - what the future holds" Leaflet
Our Definition: Core services include 24 hour A & E full service, 24 hour in-patient Paediatric beds, 24 hour Consultant - led Obstetric service, 24 hour acute Medical admissions, 24 hour acute Surgical, Acute Psychiatric services, I.T.U. & H.D.U. beds and any pathology and radiological services essential for the core services to be able to function