East Sussex Downs and Weald and Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) have published a plan describing how they will move forward while keeping two consultant-led maternity units at the DGH and the Conquest in Hastings.
A new strategy sh
ould be ready by next January, to be consulted on by stakeholders and finalised by March.
The plan states, "We know that the local community did not feel listened to in the development of proposals for consultation or in their responses to consultation (on moving emergency maternity care] and we will structure this programme to allow greater involvement."
The trusts have promised everyone affected will be able to express a view, anonymously if they like, and both East Sussex Hospitals Trust's and the PCTs' websites will be regularly updated with news on strategy discussions.
Meetings of the joint committee for both PCTs will be held in public and a maternity services development panel of health organisations, campaigners and community groups and a maternity services clinicians' forum will be formed to make recommendations.
The final decision will be made by the two PCTs' boards and in the meantime East Sussex Hospitals Trust will maintain maternity in Eastbourne and Hastings as it is.
To meet demand, maternity services in the community will be improved and a midwife-led unit could be added to Eastbourne, Hastings, or both.
At present, both have consultant-led units but neither have midwife-led units like the one at Crowborough Birthing Centre.
It is early days for the maternity strategy, on which work will begin this month, but it is hoped to be completed by March 31 next year.
The plan says, "The timetable for this programme has allowed time for full engagement and consultation.
"We will take time to understand any implications and avoid making hurried decisions."
The first maternity strategy, to single-site consultant-led services in Hastings, was referred to the Health Secretary, Alan Johnson, by East Sussex County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee (HOSC).
The Independent Reconfiguration Panel appointed by Mr Johnson said consultant-led maternity services, special care baby services and inpatient gynaecology should be kept in Eastbourne and Hastings and refuted the PCTs' claim that moving them to Hastings would be safer and more sustainable.
Mr Johnson backed their findings and the PCTs were required to draw up a new plan for maternity by October 3.
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