Hundreds of patients have been stopped from taking ambulances to hospital appointments under new rules designed to save £600,000.

East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority brought in the changes after discovering its patient transport service was being used by people who did not need it, abuse that cost thousands of pounds.

The authority says the money saved will be ploughed back into other NHS services.

The new criteria are in line with national guidance which says only people who medically need transport should have it provided by the NHS and everyone else should make their own way to and from appointments.

Non-urgent patient transport services will now only be arranged for patients who need the help of paramedics and equipment, or people whose condition would worsen if they travelled by car.

The exception is groups of patients such as the elderly or people with mental health problems who need to travel to community centres.

The authority says it is still committed to providing the service but the new regulations will mean it is used only by those who really need it.

Michael James from Eastbourne, Seaford and Wealden Community Health Council said he understood the move but added: "It is important that the authority does not allow people to slip through the net so those who really do need help are forced to find alternative means of transport.

"It is also important that surgeries and hospitals make sure patients are well aware of all the transport options available to them.

"A very popular scheme for example is the use of volunteer drivers to take patients to and from appointments."

The move has raised concerns from people on low incomes who are worried they will not meet the criteria for using the ambulance but will not be able to afford to travel to hospital clinics or appointments.

People living in isolated areas with poor public transport systems are also worried they will not be able to cope.

In a report to the authority board this week, assistant performance manager Alison Brewis says: "Across the county a number of initiatives have taken place which have ensured that staff are aware of the changes and their implications.

"There is also information widely available for patients regarding the revised criteria as well as that detailing alternative forms of transport which are locally available."