Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson helps Cobb PR staff raise vital funds

Cobb PR worked hand-in-hand with the Save The DGH campaign to raise the profile of its work, offering voluntary PR advice and guidance as well as attending crucial campaign committee meetings.

In May this year, staff at Cobb PR held a doctors and nurses coffee morning at the company’s Eastbourne office in Langney Road, collecting £900 towards campaign funds.

And Tim Cobb, Managing Director of Cobb PR, helped organise, and took part in, an open-top bus tour of Eastbourne during which local businesses were asked to donate money to the campaign.

Tim said: “Like everyone else in Eastbourne, we at Cobb PR were absolutely thrilled by the Government’s decision not to support plans to end consultant-led maternity services at the DGH.

“The decision was a stunning success for all those people, particularly Liz Walke and Monica Corrina-Kavakli, who have worked so tirelessly on the campaign, and who never gave up despite considerable opposition.

“Cobb PR is proud to have been so closely involved in the campaign, as well as having a lot of fun along the way.”

The campaign was launched when East Sussex Primary Care Trust proposed a midwife-led only unit at Eastbourne District General Hospital (EDGH) and a consultant-led maternity unit at the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards.

Thousands who feared the proposals would pose serious risks to babies and their mothers forced to travel to Hastings joined marches and signed petitions.

The PCT’s decision was challenged and referred to Health Secretary Alan Johnson by the East Sussex health overview and scrutiny committee, which is made up of East Sussex county councillors.

The Independent Reconfiguration Panel then reviewed the proposals on behalf of Mr Johnson. It ruled both hospitals should retain their consultant-led maternity, special care baby services and in-patient gynaecology.