We are fast approaching a decision by the Primary Care Trust on the new health care model for our area. During the Consultation, great emphasis was given to the question of A&E and the need to maintain it on all sites. But arguably the most sensitive area of all, Maternity and Neo-Natal services, has scarcely been discussed.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, in their response to Lord Darzi’s review, recently stated: “The RCOG strongly believes that complex diagnostic procedures, consultant clinics, maternity care and gynaecological procedures are best carried out in a multi-disciplinary hospital with a full range of specialities and back-up services.”
If Worthing were to lose its maternity unit to another Hospital - Brighton has been suggested - not only would that create a unit there too large to be operated safely, it would remove the heart from the complex of associated disciplines at Worthing Hospital that together make it the major hospital fit for its area, including A&E.
The Royal College states that “Specialised maternity and gynaecology care must be located with other specialities so that women with co-morbidities can be cared for safely. Maternal morbidity and mortality is more prevalent in socially deprived areas: consideration should be given to locating specialised hospitals in these area so the inequalities in access to care can be minimised.”
Worthing Hospital has an excellent case for maintaining and improving its maternity services. They are the key to the very future of our hospital.