Paramedics won't cope unless they get extra training

Jeremy Mayhew, the medical director for the South East Coast Ambulance Trust, spoke out over options that could see Worthing hospital downgraded and the closest a and e facilities being in Brighton.

He said: "We are giving our qualified support to the proposals on the understanding we need to change things and need support."

Mr Mayhew said staff needed more training, maybe to become critical care paramedics, to ensure they could cope with people on the scene. He also said money and investment could be needed for more ambulances and crews so patients wouldn't have to wait for them to return from Brighton.

He did, however, dismiss concerns that people would die on the way to Brighton and said: "That is an emotional argument which doesn't have any evidence behind it."

See this week's Herald for the full story