Thousands of patients from across Sussex could soon be travelling to Brighton and Hove for treatment because of highly controversial proposals to change health services in West Sussex.

The plans were outlined last week as part of a drive to make savings within the NHS. But what effect will this have on the city?

Fear have been raised that Brighton and Hove's NHS services will collapse in the wake of the Government's decision to slash hospital facilities in Sussex.

Worthing Hospital, St Richard's Hospital, in Chichester, and the Princess Royal Hospital, in Haywards Heath, face losing their accident and emergency departments, maternity services and intensive care units as a result of the cost-cutting shake-up announced last week.

It means the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, could have to cope with a massive increase in demand from patients, which some people believe will lead to considerable strain across the city.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Royal Sussex, is already one of the most in-demand NHS trusts in the country.

It employs 5,800 staff, deals with more than one million patients a year and has an annual budget of £300 million.

Like most other NHS trusts it is already struggling to meet budgets and waiting list demands but those numbers could increase dramatically if health services in West Sussex close.

There are fears over practical issues such as car parking at the Royal Sussex, availability of NHS staff and the expected upsurge in housing demand from key workers such as doctors and nurses.

Janice Kent, from the independent public and patient involvement forum for the trust, said: "It is going to have a tremendous impact on Brighton in particular. There is talk about more services being provided in the community but they are not there yet and are they sure they are going to be able to find the staff to run them?"

Darren Grayson, chief executive of Brighton and Hove City Primary Care Trust, believes the city will cope.

He told The Argus: "I truly believe the way the local NHS is changing is in the best interests of people in Brighton and Hove.

"People have told us they would prefer to be treated closer to their homes whenever possible and we are doing that - through GP practices, in people's own homes, in local clinics and elsewhere in the community.

"I know local people worry about more people from outside of the city using the specialist hospital services at the Royal Sussex. In fact the number of people who currently use the hospital, and will in future be cared for in the community, more than offsets the number of additional people from West Sussex under any of the proposed options.

"Nonetheless, we want to do more to make it easy for patients and visitors to get to the Royal Sussex. There is potential for an underground car park on the site and the hospital is working with the city council on other transport plans.

"There is plenty of space if we use it well. The new children's hospital is something for everybody in Sussex to feel proud of and will transform healthcare for children."

Brighton and Hove City Council said it was too early for it to draw up plans for extra housing or roads to cope with any increase in demand for medical services in the city, although it was mindful of recent proposals.

The Department for Health said it will give every assistance in helping the Royal Sussex cope with any increase in its medical services.

A spokesman said: "We understand the worry there may be in Brighton and Hove but we are confident the city can cope.

"These plans are still at the consultation stage but we are very aware there could be a knock-on effect for local hospitals and that will be addressed."

Matthew Fletcher, the trust's medical director, said: "The Royal Sussex County Hospital already provides a number of regional specialist services for adults and has just opened a new, purpose-built children's hospital for the 21st century.

"Under the changes being consulted on, appropriate levels of investment will be needed to develop the Royal Sussex as the critical care centre for Sussex.

"This will enable us to enhance facilities already provided, ensure it can accommodate a larger patient population and provide Brighton, Hove and the rest of Sussex with a modern, specialist healthcare facility."

What do you think of the proposals? Leave your comments below.