East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) newsletter

HOSC is seeking comments on proposals for cardiology and ophthalmology in East Sussex

HOSC has begun two separate reviews of the proposed changes to both the acute cardiology and ophthalmology services in East Sussex and is looking to hear from residents about their views.

Both sets of proposals have been developed by East Sussex NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) in partnership with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT), the provider of the services. 

The proposals for acute cardiology involve co-locating all catheterisation laboratories and specialist cardiology inpatient services at either Eastbourne District General Hospital or Conquest Hospital, Hastings. Acute outpatients and diagnostic services will remain at both sites, alongside establishment of Cardiac Response Teams in A&E and hot clinics providing rapid assessment at both acute hospital sites.

The proposals for ophthalmology involve locating outpatient and day case ophthalmology services at two hospital sites, Eastbourne District General Hospital and Bexhill Hospital, supported by one stop clinics at both hospitals and a diagnostic eye hub at Bexhill Hospital. This means outpatient and day case services provided at the Conquest Hospital would move to Bexhill, although emergency and general anaesthetic surgical cases (including cases which require overnight stay) will continue to be delivered at Conquest Hospital.

HOSC considered both sets of proposals to be substantial variations to services requiring the CCG to formally consult with the Committee under health legislation. The Committee set up two separate review boards to carry out the reviews. You can read the full discussion in the minutes of the 2^nd December 2021 HOSC meeting.  

The HOSC review boards have begun gathering evidence about the proposals and both are keen to hear the views of residents. If you wish to submit any comments or evidence to HOSC about either or both proposals, you may do so using the link below. Please submit any comments by Friday 29^th April 2022.

Submit your comments to HOSC

The HOSC reviews are separate to the NHS public consultation which ran simultaneously for 14 weeks and recently concluded.  The NHS public consultation outcomes are currently being independently analysed and will be used by HOSC as part of its evidence gathering.

At its next public meeting on 30^th June, the HOSC will agree a report for cardiology and for ophthalmology to submit to the CCG before it makes its decision on both proposals. The HOSC will then consider whether either of the CCG’s decisions are in the best interest of health services at its following meeting on 22^nd September 2022.