Mr Wilderspin, the chief executive of West Sussex Primary Care Trust, announced Worthing was the recommended choice as the major hospital for West Sussex this morning (Wednesday, May 28).

The fight to become the major hospital had been between Worthing and St Richard's in Chichester.

Mr Wilderspin said Worthing provided the "best access for the greatest numbers of people, including those areas with the poorest health outcomes and the highest levels of deprivation".

He added that Worthing was the "best option for the county".

As the major hospital Worthing would get a midwife-led maternity unit as well as retaining its consultant-led maternity unit.

St Richard's would only have a midwife-led unit and would be sending up to 5,000 A&E patients to Portsmouth, said Mr Wilderspin.

Click here for Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley's reaction.

More updates will be appearing on this website following this morning's announcement by the PCT.

Click here for all the Herald's Save Our Hospitals campaign stories.

More analysis, pictures and stories in the Herald on Thursday, May 29.

What do you think?

How did you do to support the campaign to save Worthing and Southlands hospitals?

What was your reaction when you heard Worthing was recommended as the major general hospital for West Sussex?

Let us know, comment below, email your reaction to sarah.booker@worthingherald.co.uk, or write in to Readers' Letters, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.

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