The clock is ticking. We need to act now before the decision is made and help to keep this vital service open!

The Cardiac Cath Lab at St Richard's Hospital provides vital emergency care including the fitting of essential pacemakers and other lifesaving devices as well as many other outpatient procedures for our local population.

Our local NHS Trust (University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust) is considering a permanent closure of this vital service.

The impact of this closure would be far reaching with those affected including:

Patients, who will be diverted from our local hospital travelling greater distances to Worthing and beyond to receive essential treatment that is currently provided to a high standard at St Richard's.

The potential effect on patients includes an increase in distress and anxiety due to possible longer waiting times as more patients are seen by already busy services elsewhere.

Relatives and carers will be required to travel longer distances to see their family members or take them to appointments and treatment, incurring increased costs, time and disruption.

Other vital services such as Ambulance and Patient Transport will be impacted as they are required to take patients further and with an increased demand, placing a greater burden on already stretched services.

There is still time to save this essential and highly respected service for our local hospital and residents, but we need to act now.

Please join us in signing this petition today, and together we'll campaign to keep this vital facility in the 'heart' of our local community.

Click here to read our local MP Jess Brown-Fuller's article which supports our claim: https://www.jessbrownfuller.co.uk/post/we-can-t-afford-to-lose-our-cath-lab-at-st-richards