Fears have escalated that A&E departments, including Worthing, could be downgraded under the West Sussex Primary Care Trust's shake-up plans.

But Sir Graeme Catto – who will advise the PCT on options – told a county health scrutiny committee: "I think it's unlikely there will be a diminution of services in any of these areas, and we are talking about bigger and better services in some of the areas.

"I hope that A&E departments, with medical units linked to them, will continue."

However, Sir Graeme, who is president of the General Medical Council and professor of medicine at Aberdeen University, stressed that he did not want to give "false assurances".

"I don't make decisions, only recommendations," he added.

Former Worthing mayor and hospital campaigner Tom Wye said: "Every right-thinking person will share the views that the A&E services are retained on all three sites.

"We must remember that experienced and dedicated clinicians have told us that they believe people will die if any of the A&E departments close."

A possible new direction for maternity services was also indicated at the meeting.

Sir Graeme said he saw advantages in having stand-alone, midwife-led birthing units, in addition to an obstetric consultant-led unit at a major general hospital.

Options being recommended by Sir Graeme include Worthing as a major general hospital with Chichester and Haywards Heath as local general hospitals.