June 4 2015.


Maria Caulfield met with local health groups representing residents of Seaford last week to discuss how they could work together to improve health services in the town.

The meeting, arranged by Cllr. Sam Adeniji, included representatives from groups such as Access Seaford and Newhaven, Seaford Residents Voice, Improving Health in Seaford and Seaford Seniors’ Forum.

The meeting covered all aspects of health care in the town, from the lack of provision for mental health services right through to the long journeys residents face when attending appointments in Hastings.

Speaking about the meeting, Maria said: “It was a very useful meeting and it flagged up a number of key concerns which I am going to work hard to try and resolve. Most pressing is the poor CQC rating of the local District General Hospital in Eastbourne. The group was pleased to hear I have written to the Secretary of State for Health on this matter and asked for the hospital to be put in special measures.”

Other requests made by the group was an urgent push for health and social care budgets to be merged to improve the patient experience and also more funding for hospices, so that end of life care is improved. On this issue Maria commented: “Seaford is the largest town in the constituency and it is no longer acceptable for residents to be travelling to Hastings for care. I am raising this issue with Ministers. I have been pushing for a minor injuries unit for the town and I welcome the proposals for a national seven day a week service announced by the government this week.

"From the meeting with local groups today, it is something local people in Seaford want and I intend to meet with local GPs to see how I can help make this happen."