An MP has criticised healthcare bosses for downgrading two hospitals.
West Sussex Primary Care Trust (PCT) has recommended that Worthing Hospital becomes the major general hospital in the county and home to three key centralised services.
It will provide a consultant-led maternity unit, inpatient paediatrics and emergency surgery for the whole of West Sussex.
The decision is expected to be confirmed by the PCT's board next week.
Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert is uniquely placed in the debate as his constituents use all three hospitals in West Sussex - St Richard's in Chichester, Worthing and Southlands and the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath.
He said none of the three hospitals in West Sussex should be downgraded and warned the PCT and clinicians who supported it that they "will not be forgiven" if they allowed St Richard's "to die".
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