I would like to add a personal note to his warning and suggest that lives would be put at risk EVERY DAY in the event of A&E closures.

My mother was recently rushed to Worthing Hospital by ambulance.

I am in absolutely no doubt that she would have had a distressing, undignified death in the ambulance had we been forced to make the long journey from Henfield to a Chichester-based A&E.

In the event, I have to praise the staff in both A&E and the ward at Worthing for allowing my mother the dignity of dying peacefully with her family around her and for supporting us with such kindness at such a sad time.

While praising the facilities at Worthing, the closest A&E to my home geographically, I am aware that in such a large county geographically as West Sussex, other residents living in other areas of the county must retain their right to access A&E services close to their homes in the event of ANY emergency.

I beg the PCT, for the sake of us all, to make a just and fair decision over the next few months, which will not force the closure of A&E as well as maternity services in West Sussex.

Janet Ralph
Henfield