Matthew Hudson, 11, needs specialised treatment when he goes to hospital because he has diabetes.

But what happened to him this week was a nightmare which is totally inexcusable.

Three Sussex hospitals refused to treat him when he broke his arm and the boy from Hassocks was left in agony for eight hours.

Eventually he had to be taken on an 80-mile round trip to Tooting before the arm could be fixed at 2.30 in the morning.

Although diabetes is a complicating factor, dealing with a broken arm is hardly rocket science.

The Princess Royal, Royal Alexandra and Royal Sussex County Hospitals should be ashamed of themselves for not responding to Matthew's needs.

They also need to improve their communications so this sort of thing does not happen again.