Members of the independent IRP panel will travel from Eastbourne to Hastings to decide if the distance for pregnant women to travel is reasonable and speak to all people who could be affected by the move.
Their final report will be presented to Health Secretary Alan Johnson on Thursday, July 31, when he will decide if it goes ahead.
Nicky Hayes, head of the IRP panel of 12, said the government had always followed its recommendations in the past but Mr Johnson could decide to go against it.
The panel will speak to staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital, union representatives, patients, and members of the public during the review, as well as East Sussex Downs and Weald and Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trusts, both of which support sending consultant-led maternity services to Hastings.
Ms Hayes said the decision would depend on the safety, sustainability and accessibility of the move.
She said, "We will be looking at how people can get to Hastings, parking, public transport and the geography of the area.
"The review will be unique to this area, we do not come with a blueprint for services, we look at the particular circumstances locally. Each place has unique circumstances and is different."
Ms Hayes said the IRP was brought in to help with decisions on NHS services when they were particularly contentious and had been referred to government.
The independent body then decides if a review is needed.
She said, "We felt this was significant enough and sufficiently controversial that it needed a review, so here we are."
If the Health Secretary decides, based on the panel's recommendations, to move consultant-led maternity provision to Conquest Hospital in Hastings, Eastbourne would lose its obstetric and gynaecology departments as well as its special care baby unit.
The 'single site' outcome is something campaign group Save the DGH has determinedly fought.
The IRP has pledged to listen to all sides of the debate and those conducting the review have backgrounds in healthcare, patient involvement schemes and NHS management.
They have no links with Eastbourne and Ms Hayes said this provided a fresh ear and a lack of bias.
Asked if she thought the review could be seen as a rubber-stamping exercise with little impact, she said, "It always makes a difference. It is about resolution of issues that nobody has been able to sort out at a local level.
"It is important that the review goes forward and people look to draw a line and be able to get on."
When completed, the IRP report will be available to view at its website, www.irpanel.org.uk
Members of the public are invited to give their thoughts on the proposed maternity closures. Call 020 7389 8055 or email info@irpanel.org.uk
victoria.allen@trbeckett.co.uk