The evidence uncovered by The Argus about standards of care at the Acute Medical Unit is extremely alarming.

The ACU is at the heart of emergency care at the Royal Sussex.

The need for a first-class level of service is obvious.

That on five occasions in less than two years a stay at the unit has contributed to the deaths of patients is, simply put, unacceptable.

No patient struggling with life-threatening illness should have their chances of survival lessened by acute medical care at our biggest hospital.

That much is self evident.

The Argus has pieced together evidence from inquests, reports and documents to paint this damning picture. That is the proper job of journalism.

But why hasn’t the public been informed by the trust itself that there are serious concerns with the AMU and why hasn’t a correction plan been identified, discussed and actioned?

Has anyone been disciplined or retrained?

Have more resources been provided?

We do not know because there has been a lack of transparency when it comes to the continuing problems with the AMU.

That the first death was more than 18 months ago and yet little appears to have been done is worrying in the extreme.

We need to have faith that the managers of our local NHS are on top of problems that affect the service.

On the evidence in front of us there is little to suggest they are.

A full and public investigation into what happened at the AMU is now the very least the public, and more importantly the families of the five patients who died, deserve.