Once the Fit for the Future public consultation was completed in November 2007, hospital staff battled behind the scenes to make Worthing's case.

During the final weeks of discussion a Power Point presentation was made to the PCT, explaining why it was the best option.

Click here to see the Power Point presentation.

David Uncles, Worthing Hospital consultant in anaesthesia and intensive care, has thanked the people of Worthing for their support in the campaign.

It was Dr Uncles who made a particular point about the time it would take to transfer patients from Worthing to Royal Sussex County in Brighton.

Click here to see the video of the journey.

Dr Uncles said: "I would like to register my thanks, on behalf of all the hospital consultants, to the Herald and obviously to the people of Worthing, who for the past two years have whole-heartedly supported the cause.

"I think our sentiments are mixed really.

"I don't think anybody is jumping for joy, but there is a sense of relief.

"A lot of hard work has gone into achieving the status of major general hospital, but there is still an awful lot of work to be done to make sure all the services that need to be are implemented properly.

"I'm reasonably confident this decision will be ratified by the PCT.

"They obviously deliberated long and hard and came to the conclusion, quite rightly, based on the facts available.

"I think it's guarded optimism right now."

Dr Uncles added: "I don't regard us as having won the contest, but I do think we need to be mindful that in this situation there are some losers.

"We need to be aware of that fact and be fairly respectful about the position at St Richard's and how they must be feeling."

See the Herald's special report on Thursday, May 29.

For more hospital campaign stories click here.

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