MP FEARS FOR FUTURE OF HOSPITAL

Under the plan, the hospital would end up resembling no more than a cottage hospital, along the lines of the Victoria Hospital in Lewes, providing community facilities such as screening, and minor operations and a minor injuries unit only.

Accident and emergency facilities would be lost entirely to Brighton, with services such as obstetrics being spread between Worthing, Brighton and Eastbourne.

Said Mr Baker: 'My constituents in Wivelsfield, Chailey, Newick and surrounding areas will be rightly horrified that such an option is even on the table.

'It seems within the minds of the management of the NHS in this area that it is no longer a question of whether the PRH is downgraded, but how far and how quickly.

'This is clearly being driven by severe financial pressures and we are now seeing different localities and different NHS Trusts desperately fighting their corner and hoping they won't be left standing when the music stops.

'Behind the scenes, it is clear that the PRH is being squeezed hard.

'Under these circumstances, it is vital that all of us come together to oppose any cuts to provision at the PRH.'