A LONG-AWAITED decision on the future of maternity services in East Sussex will be made next week.

Six options aimed at maintaining safe services across the county, including at Eastbourne District General Hospital and Conquest Hospital in St Leonards, are being considered by health bosses.

None of them include having consultant-led midwife units at both Eastbourne and St Leonards.

Maternity services at Eastbourne were temporarily downgraded to midwife-led a year ago because of safety fears caused by problems in recruiting enough staff to cover both departments.

Consultant services, plus children’s inpatient services, are now currently based at the Conquest.

A report drawn up ahead of next Thursday's meeting does not recommend any particular option.

However the one which meets the most criteria and has been given the highest rating, would make the temporary arrangement permanent.

This includes keeping a midwife-run service at Crowborough.

Campaigners believe not having full services at both main hospitals will put lives at risk and reduce choice for women.

Members of East Sussex County Council's health overview and scrutiny committee yesterday agreed to recommend there should be one consultant service in East Sussex, but did not specify where it should be based.

The three clinical commissioning groups covering East Sussex will make their final decision during the meeting at the Winter Gardens in Eastbourne at 2.30pm.