People power appears to have forced health bosses to change their minds about cutting hospital accident and emergency departments but changes are still afoot.

So how much should we really be celebrating? Health reporter Siobhan Ryan takes a closer look and finds reason for caution.

It seems to be good news.

West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) is tomorrow expected to approve a shake-up of hospitals in the county.

The idea is to have one major general hospital in West Sussex and two local general hospitals that will still provide A&E services.

The PCT had originally wanted to scrap A&E at the local hospitals.

But, following months of campaigning and fighting not just from the public but by hospital staff as well, a compromise has been reached.

The result is that emergency patients will still be seen at Worthing Hospital, St Richard's Hospital in Chichester and the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, whatever happens.

A victory for people power? Well, partly. Scratch beneath the surface and you'll find some subtle changes.

It is true the vast majority of emergencies such as heart attacks or strokes will be sent to the three hospitals as they are at the moment.

However, those cases that need an emergency operation, such as a as a burst appendix, will have to go to the major hospital instead.

If, for example, Worthing was the major hospital and a person from Chichester needed urgent surgery, they would have to travel to Worthing or to Portsmouth.

Seriously ill children who are likely to have to stay in hospital overnight will also have to go to the major hospital instead.

PCT bosses say fewer children have to stay in hospital nowadays as they tend to recover quickly.

Medics do their best not to admit children to wards if they can avoid it.

But it is nonetheless slightly worrying to think children may have to travel further.

The changes to the A&E departments will make no difference to the Princess Royal because its emergency surgery patients and children's in-patient services have been dealt with in Brighton for several years.

But there will be changes for Worthing or St Richard's, depending on which one is chosen as the main hospital.

The other fundamental shakeup, and one that is causing a lot of concern, is what is planned for maternity.

There will only be one consultant-led maternity unit for West Sussex and this will be based at either Worthing or Chichester.

There are plans for three midwife-led units but one of these will be at the main hospital.

There is no guarantee the others will be based at either of the other two, Theoretically, both St Richard's and the Princess Royal could have no maternity services at all.

Campaigners, particularly those in Mid Sussex, warn that as the existing units are constantly busy, this could have a major impact on other hospitals.

There is a glimmer of hope as health bosses have indicated that if enough women go to the Princess Royal to give birth, then they would be willing to look again.

But it is a slim hope and nothing has been set in stone.

So there we have it. Campaigners are rightly delighted that A&E departments are staying but there is still a long way to go and still a lot of changes to face.

The next big stage will be in June when the PCT decides which, out of Worthing or Chichester, will become the major hospital.

Up until now, campaigners have pulled away from a town-versustown challenge as they have always thought all services should be based at all hospitals.

But now we are coming down to the wire there is a chance tensions could rise as each town vies to prove why they should have the main hospital.

The chief executives at Worthing and Chichester have done their best to head this off by issuing a joint statement assuring people their main focus will always be to provide the best service possible for everyone.

But MPs have already been staking their claims and developments over the coming weeks are likely to be interesting.