Worthing Hospital and Southlands in Shoreham have been awarded almost half a million pounds to cut their waiting lists.
The hospitals' governing NHS Trust has been given the money by the Government to help meet national targets.
The Government has promised that by March 31 next year, the maximum wait for non-emergency surgery will not exceed 12 months.
The money will be used increase the number of doctors and the number of people each doctor sees.
Some of the money will also be used to buy some capacity from the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead and from a local private hospital, possibly Goring Hall.
Three projects have also been earmarked for special action. These are hip and knee replacement operations, cataracts and orthopaedic day surgery procedures and laparoscopic surgical procedures.
Roger Greene, chief executive, said: "The investment will obviously help us but there are other things we need to address like staff, beds and post operation care."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article