We all know that our hospitals are under enormous pressure and the Royal Sussex in Brighton is no different.

But now, the trust that runs the hospital has admitted a criminal breach of health and safety regulations.

Joan Rayment – described by those who knew her best as a “woman of the heart” – went into hospital suffering from an awful disease.

But rather than getting better she died even sooner because she caught a deadly bug from the hospital’s water supply.

Worse still, hospital officials were aware of the issue but did not pass the concerns on, leading to the endemic problem across several parts of the hospital.

Quite rightly chief executive Matthew Kershaw has apologised unreservedly to Ms Rayment’s family.

To truly honour this woman’s memory the hospital must make sure it never happens again.

And to do this they need help – the £480 million revamp needs to be started now.