Campaigners have vowed the fight to save hospital services will continue despite a setback.

A judicial review is being filed against a decision to downgrade Eastbourne District General Hospital's maternity unit from a consultant-led service to a midwife-led one.

Campaigners had hoped Eastbourne Borough Council would agree to provide indemnity cover for the case but they have been refused.

The council has agreed to give £40,000 towards the fight but say they are unable to provide cover for an individual organisation or group.

Eastbourne mother-of-two Monica Corrina-Kavakli, who was going to have her name on the judicial review action, said she could not risk the her family's lifestyle and home without the backing of the indemnity cover and so has had to withdraw her name.

Campaigners are now working on a back-up plan to find another name and ensure the application for review goes out on time.

Mrs Corrina-Kavakli , 38, of Tideswell Road, said she was disappointed to have to withdraw but said she had no choice.

She said: "We have had very good legal advice and have been told we have a very good chance of winning.

"We would not have proceeded with action unless we thought we would win but we needed the reassurance of that cover in the unlikely event that we lose the case and have to pay the other side's legal costs.

"I was prepared to put my name out there and go ahead with the action but I needed that backing.

"However the fight still goes on and we are preparing to launch a major fund-raising campaign to help with our costs.

"It is not going to stop us."

The campaigner are seeking a judicial review of the decision taken by East Sussex Downs and Weald and Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trusts (PCT) last December to downgrade Eastbourne and provide full services at the Conquest Hospital in St Leonards.

Opponents say lives will be at risk if mothers have to make trips of up to 20 miles away for emergency treatment.

The decision has already been referred to the Department of Health by East Sussex health overview and scrutiny committee for review.

Committee members were unhappy that the original proposals put out for public consultation did not include one which would have kept full services at both hospitals.

PCTS chief executive Nick Yeo, who has been responsible for overseeing the controversial plans, announced this week he was leaving in the summer to take up a new post at a mental health trust in Hampshire.

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