“Fit for the Future is primarily a political and financial document with little regard for medical best practice.”

“We have an Airport at Crawley. If there was an incident of any size there, the hospitals as they are now would not cope, let alone reducing any more of their services.”

“St. Richards has a top rate reputation with local people and was recently rated very highly in an official report. It would be a first class foundation for the expanded role planned.”

“Our Henfield residents are horrified about hospital reconfiguration proposals.”

“I work at St Richards and live in Selsey and the delays caused in the main by the bureaucratic incompetence of the PCT have left many of the patients (including myself and my family) extremely concerned about our health services future here in West Sussex. This worry is exacerbated by the fact that many of the members of the PCT do not actually live in our area so any decisions they make will not affect them personally. I have watched with interest the items on the local news and have been singularly unimpressed by the way Mr. Wilderspin has put forward the PCT case for changes. He doesn't even seem convinced himself.”

“I am extremely concerned about the bizarre decision to close the Maternity and A&E units at the PRH. In an area with already a high population density, which is also rapidly expanding with proposed new housing developments from the government, I think it ludicrous that they believe they can close these units and send patients to already stretched units at the Royal Sussex in Brighton.”

“Why the Princess Royal Hospital has been singled out for downgrading, goodness only knows, but where are we to go for accident and emergency services? Has anyone ever tried to get to Brighton in the rush hour or on a Bank Holiday?”

“The people on the Selsey peninsula only have a single narrow road access and the delay getting help could be a death sentence.”

“Please do all possible to stop this insane plan. My husband has needed the services of Worthing hospital twice since moving here 6 years ago. If it had not been for the nearness of Worthing, it is unlikely he would have survived. With all the new developments in this area, in no way should Worthing, Haywards Heath or Chichester be closed.”

“The shortest journey to Brighton Hospital from Chichester is 1 hour.... the longest was 2 hours 10 minutes. “My question and statement.... how can any politician in their right mind suggest centering all emergency services for West Sussex on Brighton with these journey times IF YOU ARE SICK????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Why marginalize the hospital service we have by sending patients to an old hospital on busy roads with no parking facilities? Why send patients with life threatening illness 15 miles when their local hospital is much closer? Why make it difficult for their relatives to visit them when they either have to catch a bus or drive under stress with no parking near the hospital? Why make it more traumatic for a mother in labour by sending her all that way to have a baby, and back again with her baby within a few days? Why can't we make use of a comparatively young hospital with all its modern facilities? “Finally, why can't we get any answers?”

“Haywards Heath, Burgess Hill and surrounding area have had significant housing development in recent years, and it now seems probable that further significant housing development is to occur. Where are people to receive proper hospital treatment when Brighton seems unable to cope with its current workload? The PRH, at the moment has room to expand and provide adequate parking and travel facilities and the former does not apply to Brighton.”

“These closures must not be allowed to happen on the basis of cost cutting as we all know the medical grounds are baseless.”

“When minutes can be the difference between life and death, having to travel for 30 minutes or more is going to kill people not to mention that the quicker treatment starts the shorter the recovery time will be or the more complete a recovery that will be made.”

“West Sussex is still growing in population so all future plans should be about how to fund more services, not less services.”

“We live in a democratic country which is why you have had to initiate the consultation process but the PCT appear to be paying no attention to the response they are getting.”

“If they are planning for the future why are they not UPGRADING instead of downgrading, at both hospitals.”

“Time is of the essence and with the crowded roads, particularly the A27 between Portsmouth and Worthing, and long distances makes emergency travel a very risky and life threatening experience.” “Most people have a computer or could get their neighbour to sign for them. Let us repeat the exercise until someone listens to us, whether they tell us he has been the Prime Minister for a month or 10 years, they must listen. So organise yourselves on the internet and we will join you! “Organise the ‘FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE’”

“I have never in my life complained about anything in writing which shows you how very concerned I am. I know I speak for a great deal of people in this area as everyone I speak to has the same concerns. “I am very concerned about the closing of hospitals in the West Sussex area. At the moment we have three hospitals but with all the talk about closing down two I find it very worrying and even frightening.”

“As a local resident and a local surgeon living in the area for 22 years I strongly oppose these plans. Unfortunately to date the bureaucrats who run the service, and who are largely unaccountable to the electorate, have totally ignored the requests of the local inhabitants and the advice of those of us in the medical profession who have a genuine interest in the welfare of Mid-Sussex. “I wish you all the best with your campaign to preserve PRH and the services it provides. Brighton is heavily dependent on support from PRH and without PRH, RSCH cannot provide the necessary services.”

“Where are the constructive suggestions from the professionals for other alternative ways forward? The health professionals from all the hospitals concerned should not be sucked into internecine squabbling, that is the way to divide and rule. They should rise above parochial interests and devise options that they can recommend to the general public. “If the health professionals cannot produce a viable alternative option then it suggests that one of the PCT options may well be the right choice! A solution supported by the health professionals is essential.”

“Firstly, it seems that Worthing and St Richard's are almost always both busy, so to think of closing either is damaging to services to those who may need them. “Secondly, we are all aware of the traffic situation on the A27 trunk road and as many have warned, lives will be lost and suffering increased if there are delays. “Thirdly, the plans for more housing in the area have been well- known for many years and the suggestion that the infra-structure resouces should be cut is worse than ridiculous!”

“It will be a travesty if the PRH is downgraded! We seem to be able to afford the Olympics ... I would prefer to have my local hospital instead! We can manage without material things but our health is the one thing we should care about the most. The PRH is not only central but modern clean..ish and easy to get to. Brighton is a dump, filthy and not easily got to.”

“A growing population and a hospital closure ... who thought of that?”