Thousands march against possible downgrading of Conquest

AROUND 7,000 residents, young and old, took to the streets and demonstrated against possible downgrading of services at the Conquest.

Residents from Hastings, Bexhill, Rye, Battle and surrounding villages turned out in their droves waving placards saying 'Hands Off The Conquest'.

Former patients and staff at the hospital also marched to campaign against possible cuts in services such as maternity and A&E.

The crowd marched from Hastings Pier to the Stade before a rally was held where key speakers gave speeches.

Wheelchair users and people who had undergone hip replacement operations also made their feelings loud and clear.

Margaret Williams, secretary of the Friends of the Conquest, said: "We have had 36,000 signatures on our petition.

"The powers that be must listen to the people.

"Services like maternity and A&E are not up for discussion at neither the Conquest nor Eastbourne DGH.

"We already have a 21st century hospital so why fix something that is not broken?"

Hastings mayor Cllr Maureen Charlesworth said: "We have got a very good hospital with wonderful staff doing their utmost to help people.

"The Conquest covers such a large area, Battle, Catsfield, Icklesham, Bexhill, all the way out to Camber and the surrounding villages.

"We say stop the downgrading of the hospital.

"How can they (health chiefs) expect us to travel to Eastbourne? Do they know what the A259 is like?

"This scheme if implemented will put hundreds of people's lives at risk.

"How do they expect such people who do not drive to get to Eastbourne or Brighton? By bus or train?

"Many more ambulances will be needed if this scenario happens."

Cllr Charlesworth said Hastings had one of the highest number of still born births in the country.

"The maternity unit at the Conquest and Eastbourne need enlarging, not reducing. It's utterly ridiculous," she said.

"Cuts would be totally wrong as the population of this area is growing year on year."

Hastings and Rye MP Michael Foster said: "This is the biggest demonstration ever in Hastings in my living memory.

"The 1990 Poll Tax demonstrations here did not produce this number of people.

"With three times the amount of money being spent on health care than in 1997, how can we even consider downgrading the Conquest?

"It's a very simple message here, hands off the Conquest.

"It's a message that simply can't be ignored."

Paul Osborne, mayor of Rye, said: "If you take away A&E from Hastings it would be quicker for Rye residents to go to Ashford.

"We are in quite a rural area and Eastbourne is not a simple drive away. It would take at least an hour or so and I am concerned this could be the difference between life and death.

"We want to see an improvement in services, not a reduction."

Battle mayor Paula Fisher said: "This demonstration has seen a wonderful turnout and it shows our strength in feeling.

"We fear any changes to the Conquest, particularly because of the bad road between Hastings and Eastbourne.

"We do not want to lose any services at the hospital.

"People from as far as Sedlescombe have come to protest."