The pressure on hospital beds has been eased by the opening of a discharge lounge.

The facility at Worthing Hospital was unveiled in December to help free up beds for newly-admitted patients so they can be seen and treated quickly.

Sister Dawn Budden and two nursing assistants run the lounge, where patients go while they are waiting for transport home or medication from the pharmacy.

Patients may also have come to the emergency assessment unit and are able to return home after treatment.

Previously, they would have taken up a hospital bed until they were ready to leave.

As a result, almost 400 more patients have been treated in the past four months, according to Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust.

Trust spokeswoman Pam Lelliott said: "About 70 patients are admitted to the hospital each day through the accident and emergency unit or for elective surgery.

"As the hospital is extremely busy, finding a bed for new patients is often difficult."

Anne Earle, the hospital's discharge manager said: "The hospital is often full so the trust has had to introduce measures so it can cope during these busy times and continue to provide the best care possible to patients.

"The discharge lounge has been a great success and is much appreciated by the patients, who are pleased to have an alternative to a busy ward once they are ready to go home."

The trust praised Worthing Hospital League of Friends, which equipped the lounge with easy chairs, a TV and refreshment facilities.