'Victory' for hospital protesters

NHS chiefs had said St Richard's Hospital would be downgraded

Fresh proposals to keep major services at two West Sussex hospitals instead of downgrading one site have been welcomed by the county council.

NHS West Sussex wants to keep inpatient paediatrics, emergency surgery, and inpatient maternity care at both sites in Worthing and Chichester.

Chief executive John Wilderspin said a merger between two other trusts had led to new opportunities for joint working.

Council leader Henry Smith hailed the move as a victory for campaigners.

A recommendation to keep consultant-led maternity services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath will also be made under the fresh proposals.

Hard fight

NHS West Sussex chief executive John Wilderspin said: "We now believe that a strong, unified trust on the South Coast provides a strong foundation for the provision of acute and specialist services within the county."

Mr Smith said: "We were clear from the start, along with residents of West Sussex, that we did not want to see a reduction in services at our hospitals.

"This is a victory for residents across many parts of the county who look to St Richards and Worthing hospitals, and for all those who joined us in fighting so hard for our local hospitals."

Last year, health chiefs agreed to downgrade St Richard's in Chichester, have Worthing as the county's major hospital, and keep services the same at the Princess Royal in Hayward Heath.

Campaigners had fought an 18-month campaign to keep services at all three sites.

The latest proposals will be considered by the board of NHS West Sussex this month, and by local authorities in early December.

The new trust, Western Sussex Hospitals, was created when Royal West Sussex and Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS trusts merged in April.