Call for Clarity on Seaford Health Facilities
Liberal Democrat District Councillors in Seaford have written to Maria Caulfield MP, asking for clarity on the status of plans for new health hubs in Seaford and Newhaven. The councillors expressed concern that despite the MP's recent leaflet stating that plans were in place for a new medical hub, there was no evidence of it.
In the letter, the councillors said that delay in urgently needed health facilities fell far short of what local people had told them they needed. They also highlighted the desperate need for more local health facilities, pointing out that people aged over 75 and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable have been unable to access Covid boosters in Seaford.
The councillors also reiterated their support for the redevelopment of Seaford Medical Practice, including the car park behind the practice on Richmond Road, to provide adequate space for local GP facilities.
James MacCleary, parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats in Lewes constituency said:
"It is unacceptable that people in Seaford are unable to access the healthcare they need, and we call on the government to take urgent action to support the local NHS. Our team in Seaford will keep pushing to put the NHS first."
Recently elected district councillor for Seaford Central, Freddie Hoareau, said:
"We heard some heartbreaking stories of people affected by the crisis in our NHS during our election campaigns, and we look forward to receiving some clarity on the local situation. NHS staff work so hard and with our local MP as a health minister, they really need more support."
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Full letter text is below:
Status of a New Health Hub in Seaford
Dear Maria Caulfield MP,
As newly elected District Councillors we hope to work co-operatively in the interests of the people of Seaford. In that spirit, we are writing to you as our local MP and as a government health minister on an issue we all frequently heard raised on the doorstep; Seaford's local health facilities.
One of your recent leaflets stated that there are "plans for new medical hubs in Seaford and Newhaven." You have also said that there will be "a new health hub for every town."
We seek clarity on the nature and location of these 'hubs', and on the current status of these plans. So far, there is no evidence of any new health hub in Seaford. If plans do in fact exist, the people of Seaford should be able to see them. Further delay to urgently needed health facilities falls far short of what local people have told us they need.
It is essential that there is better support for the local NHS. People aged over 75 and those who are clinically extremely vulnerable have been unable to access Covid boosters here in town as the one pharmacy offering it has insufficient capacity, travelling to other towns is not an option for many. This is just one example highlighting the desperate need for more local health facilities.
In the spirit of constructive and positive joint effort, we re-iterate our support for the re-development of Seaford Medical Practice including the car park behind the Practice on Richmond Road to provide adequate space for local GP facilities.
We heard some heartbreaking stories of people affected by the crisis in our NHS during our election campaigns, and we look forward to receiving some clarity on the local situation.
Best wishes,
Christina Bristow, Lesley Boniface, Seaford West
Olivia Honeyman, Christine Brett, Seaford South
Freddie Hoareau, Stephen Gauntlett, Seaford Central
Liberal Democrat District Councillors in Seaford