NHS bosses confirm hospital cuts

St Richard's supporters mounted a demonstration at the meeting

Health bosses have confirmed they will go ahead with the downgrading of St Richard's Hospital in Chichester.

West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) announced last week that Worthing would be the county's major general hospital.

It will have full paediatrics, A&E and consultant-led maternity care while St Richard's will have a reduced A&E and a midwife-led maternity unit.

Campaigners for St Richard's were at the PCT board meeting which ratified the decision on Wednesday.

More than 50 people travelled by coach from Chichester to the meeting at Gatwick.

'Could be fatal'

The PCT has said St Richard's will retain 90% of its A&E services, with only patients with major problems, those needing emergency surgery and victims of serious accidents going elsewhere.

It said 50% would go to Portsmouth and 50% to Worthing, with the majority being taken directly by ambulance to the appropriate hospital.

But one of the campaigners told BBC South Today: "I often have to go in as an emergency.

"If I have to go to Worthing or Portsmouth it could be fatal."

The PCT said journey times had been taken into consideration when making the decision and it was aware that people in Selsey would have travel times greater than one hour at peak times.

But it said that, on balance, a much greater number of people would be adversely affected if the major general hospital was in Chichester.

Campaigners for St Richard's now say they will consider whether to seek a judicial review of the decision.