Council leaders have welcomed a report which praised a hospital's maternity unit.

A review by the Healthcare Commission ranked the unit at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath as one of the best performing in the country.

The department is under threat of downgrading, along with its accident and emergency service, as part of a planned shake up of health services across West Sussex developed by West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) and Brighton and Hove City PCT.

Mid Sussex District Council chairwoman Margaret Hersey said: "The maternity unit provides an excellent standard of service for the whole Mid Sussex community and I'm delighted this has been backed up by the Healthcare Commission.

The council's cabinet member for health and community, Christopher Snowling, said: "West Sussex PCT maintain that shifting maternity and accident and emergency services to Brighton will improve healthcare but this report clearly shows that maternity services are already rated as best performing.

"I find it difficult to understand why the future of maternity services at the Princess Royal is still under threat of closure when they are already performing to such a splendidly high standard.

"The commission's report takes account of the views of women who actually use the maternity service and the results show they are very happy with the level of care they currently receive.

"It is high time the PCT showed that they are listening to the views of the people who matter and acknowledged the need to keep the valuable services at the Princess Royal."

West Sussex Primary Care Trust is continuing to review the responses to the Fit For The Future public consultation held last year.

A final decision on the future of the Princess Royal and other hospitals in Worthing and Chichester is expected later this year.

For more information about health in your area visit the local information section of this website.