The recommendation to the PCT on Wednesday, May 7 was to choose "Model of Care no. 3", but even though that appears to be the best solution, it still involves some downgrading of current arrangements.

There will now be one major general hospital (MGH) in either Worthing or Chichester, which will have all facilities.

There will also be two local general hospitals (LGH), one of which will be in Haywards Heath, still with some A&E facilities, but without consultant-led maternity units.

If either Chichester or Worthing is chosen as an LGH, some 20 per cent of A&E patients, and all mothers needing to give birth in a consultant-led maternity unit, will have to travel to either the single MGH in West Sussex or to Brighton, Portsmouth or Redhill.

The choice between Chichester and Worthing as the location of the MGH will be made by the PCT board on June 4.

However, despite Peter Bottomley's understandably optimistic assertions on behalf of Worthing, it seems that the result may still be too close to call.

Rather, the only thing that is quite certain is that one or other of the two hospitals will end up with fewer facilities than at present.

Finally, whilst both Worthing and Chichester hospitals provide an excellent service, and whilst it is invidious to have to choose between them, I believe that St Richard's has the edge, and fully deserves to be selected as the MGH.

Derek Waller
Surrey Wharf
Arundel

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