This Government, like the previous Tory administration, has been throwing more money at the National Health Service.

But still there are problems for patients as the cash seemed to go into a bottomless pit.

Now the Government has made a special national allocation for equipment, of which £3.85 million will be spent in Sussex.

The difference this time is that doctors and nurses will be able to choose how the cash is spent instead of health authorities.

There will be no restrictions provided the equipment will genuinely benefit patients. It can be matched from other sources.

This is an excellent idea that will encourage staff at the sharp end to make decisions rather than by authorities often at some distance from where the action is.

The involvement of the public could encourage more activity by some of the already excellent League of Hospital Friends.

At a time when yet another round of health reorganisation is about to engulf Sussex hospitals, the Government might think long term of stripping away a level or two of bureaucracy.

Giving more choice in many matters to front-line staff might be part of the answer.