Re-open beds at Newhaven Downs

2.53.40pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 13th Feb 2006

Seaford Lib Dem Councillor Ralph Taylor has called for the "mothballed" beds at Newhaven Downs Rehabilitation Centre to be re-opened as soon as possible and made available to patients from Seaford.

"At present Seaford patients needing intermediate care before they go home are accommodated at Firwood House in Hampden Park. The whole point of intermediate care is to provide local rehabilitation - a bridge which enables patients to go home as soon as possible. Most care at home is provided by relatives and neighbours, yet Hampden Park is a long way from Seaford and very difficult for them to reach by public transport."

Councillor Taylor and other Seaford councillors have been part of a stakeholder group looking at improvements to health services in Seaford. "We hope that plans will soon emerge for an improved and expanded health centre in Seaford but in the meantime there is an urgent need for rehab beds closer to the town than Hampden Park."

The beds at Newhaven Downs were closed in November as a cost-saving measure. However, Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said last week that community hospitals should not be closed for financial reasons. According to Cllr Taylor, "This situation exposes a real gap between government policy and local reality. The problem seems to be partly caused by the fact that Seaford is in the Eastbourne Downs PCT area and Newhaven Downs is run by Sussex Downs & Weald PCT. Surely, the two PCTs can get together and sort this out in the interests of patients and their carers?"

Former carer Don Hart echoes Cllr Taylor's concerns. Mr Hart a former chair of the local development group of Care for the Carers is also a member of the Seaford stakeholder group. He says, "Seaford people have lost the facilities of All Saints Hospital and Homefield Cottages are no longer available. We were promised a local facility similar to Firwood House but there is currently no sign of this. The only resource possible is in Newhaven and this is being denied to Seaford residents for reasons that are difficult to understand."

Mr Hart also makes the point that the population of Seaford is increasing and the infrastructure is not keeping pace. "Urgent action is needed or everyone in Seaford will suffer."