Worthing Hospital will get a boost of almost £200,000 to help deal with the winter rush.
The money will allow Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust to keep operating theatres open for longer between Christmas and mid-January.
Other initiatives include using six additional nursing home beds, opening a new admissions ward and providing an occupational therapist in accident and emergency to better assess patients' needs.
Last year 2,000 patients were treated between December 24 and January 2.
Meanwhile, the trust will only carry out day surgery and inpatient surgery between Christmas and mid-January, but is unable to say what impact this will have on waiting lists.
Chief executive Martin Smits said: "Our priority has been to put into place the services needed to ensure our patients get the best care and treatment possible.
"The introduction of NHS Direct this year will hopefully reduce unnecessary visits to the hospital, but we will be here for those people who need our help."
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