HOSPITAL CAMPAIGNERS MEET TONY BLAIR

Campaigners were seeking reassurances about the possible downgrading of Eastbourne District General Hospital as part of NHS 'reconfiguration'.

Mr Waterson commented: 'It was a friendly and constructive meeting and the Prime Minister listened to our concerns. We stressed the massive local support for retaining core services at our hospital, as well as concerns that any decision should be based on medical evidence and community need, not on politics.

'Tony Blair said he could not promise anything, but that he would look into the issues raised by us.'