A number of factors, including those highlighted by the public during public consultation last year, were taken into consideration when choosing the recommended location including access and travel, impact on deprived communities, and the capacity in NHS facilities to accommodate the agreed changes in services.   

John Wilderspin, Chief Executive of West Sussex Primary Care Trust, said: “After careful consideration, a recommendation is going to the PCT board that Worthing should be the location for the services we have agreed to centralise. This location provides best access for the greatest number of people including those areas with poorest health outcomes and highest levels of deprivation. The recommendation was made after considering a large number of issues and on the basis of which location would serve the best interests of the county as a whole.”

Large numbers of documents and pieces of evidence were considered before deciding the model of care and the recommended location.

John continued: “The decision on the recommended location has not been taken lightly. We have taken account of the views and advice of a wide range of people.  We are confident that the model of care and the recommended location for centralised services is the best decision for local people now and into the future.

“The location was a difficult decision – we are fortunate to have two very good hospitals in Chichester and Worthing, and choosing between them was always going to be hard.”

Discussions are taking place between clinicians and trust boards to develop a network which will help to deliver the new model of care. John said: “The trusts are already examining how best to develop clinical networks, and looking at how the organisational structure can best support that.  This is an opportunity to bring together the strengths of both organisations with great potential benefits for patients.   We welcome the discussions already taking place and we will support the organisations in this process”.