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And the detailed plans appear to show a bleak future for Southlands Hospital at Shoreham '“ with the site destined to lose "acute" services under all of the options being considered.

Senior consultants who have studied the new information say the four featured "options" seem to blow a hole in the claims by top health officials at last week's protest rally that "nothing had been decided".

Heart specialist Dr Mark Signy said: "We have already shown that the arguments they have put forward for downgrading Worthing or Chichester are clinically flawed. It seems absolutely incredible that they are ploughing on regardless. They are ignoring their responsibilities for proper public consultation."

The four "emerging issues" in a document outlining the future health services for the area include plans for future services for hospitals at Worthing, Chichester, Haywards Heath, Southlands and Crawley.

It seems clear that whatever happens '“ and despite warnings from top doctors at both hospitals '“ then vital services at either Chichester or Worthing will be chopped.

See this week's Herald for the full story.