Restaurant owner and staff shut shop to back Conquest demo

Karen Venditto, who co-owns Tempo and Pissarro's in Hastings with her husband, Luca, said staff 'felt strongly' about the fears over possible downgrading of hospital services.

She said: "Our daughter, Jodie, was admitted to A&E at the Conquest more than four years ago and was subsequently diagnosed with a genetic liver disorder called Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD).

"The care and attention and treatment she received was brilliant. It was a frightening time for us.

"One of our key management team members just had a baby only last Sunday.

"She was sent to hospital in Pembury because the Conquest and Eastbourne maternity units were full.

"It ended up being a 55-hour labour for her, partly because of all the travelling between Eastbourne, Pembury and Hastings.

"It was very frightening for them as they were stuck in traffic for over an hour.

"She ended up giving birth by Caesarean.

"How can they (health bosses) even consider closing one of the maternity units? It is not good enough.

"It is important that everyone locally supports the Conquest.

"There is no point moaning in a couple of years time over possible cuts if people have not shown their support for the cause now."

GSD occurs when there is an absence or deficiency of the enzyme needed to produce or break down glycogen in the body.

It primarily affects the liver and/or muscles.