Today, Alison met with Chair and committee of the Friends of Zachary Merton, the local charity that has been supporting patients and the nursing team at Zachary Merton Community Hospital in Rustington for over 40 years.
Like many residents, they are concerned that the future of the Hospital is not clear. Meanwhile, their activities are suspended while the Hospital remains closed. They do not know how much the repairs will cost, when they will begin, and, crucially, when the Hospital will reopen. Many people in the local community are concerned that it will never reopen.
Speaking after the event, Alison said: "I am writing to the CEO of the Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust for an urgent meeting so they can provide clarity on their plans for Zachary Merton. At a time when we need to be freeing up beds in our acute hospitals, I believe there remains an important role for community hospitals to support rehabilitation close to home."
