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Hospital A&E closure fears raised Hospital A&E closure fears raised
(about 19 hours later)
Two accident and emergency departments in Sussex could be closed as part of plans to re-organise hospital services.Two accident and emergency departments in Sussex could be closed as part of plans to re-organise hospital services.
The future of A&E provision at Worthing and Southlands Hospital, St Richard's in Chichester and the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath are all in doubt.The future of A&E provision at Worthing and Southlands Hospital, St Richard's in Chichester and the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath are all in doubt.
West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) announced plans to downgrade two out of the three hospitals on Wednesday.West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) announced plans to downgrade two out of the three hospitals on Wednesday.
The proposals, which have not been approved, were condemned by the leader of West Sussex County Council.The proposals, which have not been approved, were condemned by the leader of West Sussex County Council.
Councillor Henry Smith said they were " disastrous proposals which would hurt every community around the county." Councillor Henry Smith said they were "disastrous proposals which would hurt every community around the county".
We are planning to provide vital services in more appropriate settings PCT documentWe are planning to provide vital services in more appropriate settings PCT document
The first option under West Sussex's Fit for the Future consultation would see Worthing and Southlands become the main hospital and St Richard's Hospital in Chichester losing its Accident and Emergency department, maternity and complex surgery.The first option under West Sussex's Fit for the Future consultation would see Worthing and Southlands become the main hospital and St Richard's Hospital in Chichester losing its Accident and Emergency department, maternity and complex surgery.
The Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath would lose acute services and obstetrics and be turned into community hospital dealing with minor injuries.The Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath would lose acute services and obstetrics and be turned into community hospital dealing with minor injuries.
Under the second option Chichester would become the main hospital, Worthing would lose its A&E services, maternity and complex surgery and Haywards Heath would lose its A&E, emergency surgery and obstetrics departments.Under the second option Chichester would become the main hospital, Worthing would lose its A&E services, maternity and complex surgery and Haywards Heath would lose its A&E, emergency surgery and obstetrics departments.
If the third option was implemented Chichester would become the main hospital, Worthing would lose its A&E, maternity and complex surgery departments and Haywards Heath would be turned into a community hospital and be stripped of its acute services and obstetrics department.If the third option was implemented Chichester would become the main hospital, Worthing would lose its A&E, maternity and complex surgery departments and Haywards Heath would be turned into a community hospital and be stripped of its acute services and obstetrics department.
'Patient safety''Patient safety'
A stand alone midwife-led birthing unit is planned for West Sussex regardless of which option is given the go-ahead.A stand alone midwife-led birthing unit is planned for West Sussex regardless of which option is given the go-ahead.
A spokeswoman for West Sussex PCT said the options needed to be approved by the Department of Health, the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority and the PCT board before they could be introduced.A spokeswoman for West Sussex PCT said the options needed to be approved by the Department of Health, the South East Coast Strategic Health Authority and the PCT board before they could be introduced.
The PCT stated in its Fit for the Future document: "Patient safety is our top priority and we would never seek to put our patients at risk.The PCT stated in its Fit for the Future document: "Patient safety is our top priority and we would never seek to put our patients at risk.
"We are planning to provide vital services in more appropriate settings, be it in a specialist hospital, in the community or in patients' homes.""We are planning to provide vital services in more appropriate settings, be it in a specialist hospital, in the community or in patients' homes."
It also said the plans would be opened to a public consultation.It also said the plans would be opened to a public consultation.
Four other primary care trusts - Surrey, Brighton and Hove, Hastings and Rother, and East Sussex Downs and Weald - are working on the Fit for the Future consultation.Four other primary care trusts - Surrey, Brighton and Hove, Hastings and Rother, and East Sussex Downs and Weald - are working on the Fit for the Future consultation.