'No decision' over NHS services

Ms Morris said the plans had not yet been supported by the trust board

An NHS chief has denied any decision to centralise maternity services at hospitals in Eastbourne and Hastings onto one site has already been made.

Candy Morris, chief executive of NHS South East Coast, said there would be no changes until after consultation.

But East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust said it had been given a "very strong steer" that obstetrics and neo-natal services should be put on one site.

Eastbourne's MP said confusion would undermine next year's consultation.

The Conservative MP, Nigel Waterson, added: "At worst it's a cynical disregard for the eventual results of the public consultation."

Board support

Ms Morris spoke to the BBC following a health authority meeting in Brighton on Wednesday which discussed hospital shake-ups.

About 70 people protested against plans for local health services outside the NHS South East Coast's "summit", called Patients at the Heart of System Reform.

Ms Morris added that plans concerning the Eastbourne District General Hospital and the Conquest Hospital in Hastings had not yet been supported by the trust board.

The consultation is expected to start early next year.