A Sussex MP has warned health bosses he will be expecting them to keep their promises that people will continue to get the best hospital service possible.
Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames spoke ahead of Sunday's planned changes to accident and emergency services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.
From Sunday evening patients in the Mid Sussex area with serious injuries needing an operation will be sent straight to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton instead.
Mr Soames said: "I have been told this is the best way forward but I will be keeping a close eye on what is happening to make sure this is the case."
Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs both hospitals, says the change will mean critically ill patients will get the best specialist treatment on one site.
However, the move has sparked fears in Mid Sussex that this is the first step towards the eventual downgrading of the Princess Royal.
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