To: The Editor
West Sussex Gazette
From: Neil Winton

Dear Sir,

Here’s How To Save A&E - Get Off Our Knees

There is a way of making sure that Accident & Emergency services, crucial to our fellow citizens in Sussex, are not trashed by the arrogant fools lording it over us.
Instead of marching cap in hand and petitioning for “favours”, why not take the initiative and raise the money ourselves to retain these crucial facilities? Clearly, a health system that is run from Whitehall can’t or won’t take account of our legitimate needs.

By raising the money as private citizens, we could bypass the corrupt politicians who apparently think it makes sense to centralise A&E services in Brighton and shut down facilities in Haywards Heath and Worthing. Anyone engaging their brain knows this is a recipe for disaster and increased death rates among the innocent. There must be businesses and private individuals in Sussex who will take the financial lead to set up our own A&E hospitals. Citizens could then subscribe to A&E insurance for themselves and their families. Premiums would include provision for those who couldn’t afford it.

This idea might seem hopelessly utopian. But surely the time is ripe, in a era when government has lost touch and is conspicuously failing to meet the demands of its citizens, to show we don’t have to rely on the whim of politicians.

We could apply the same principle to other issues, where we are being betrayed by the powers-that-be. Instead of another 50 wasted years seeking action from government, why not raise the money privately to sink the A27 under Worthing and divert it around Arundel.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. First things first. Is there anyone out there who will take the lead in acting to save our A&E rather than pleading for it?

Yours sincerely

Neil Winton

November 17, 2006