Published: 15/08/2002, Volume III, No. 5818 Page 8

Campaigners fighting plans to downgrade their local hospital have won the right to have a judicial review - but could now face bills of up to£100,000 for legal representation.Concern for Health in East Kent (CHEK) has opposed plans to move services from Kent and Canterbury Hospital to hospitals in Margate and Ashford. East Kent health authority backed the changes just days before it was abolished in March this year.The way in which this decision was made is now expected to be scrutinised in a six-day judicial review at the end of November.CHEK chair David Shortt said: 'We have almost 1,000 pages of evidence, written statements and depositions.The bill could be up to£100,000.'

See news focus page 16.