Click on the green play button to see video of Mr Liles talking about the future of St Richard's Hospital

As the county's only major general hospital, it will be Worthing which will have the only fully-fledged A&E department, consultant maternity services, major surgery and inpatient children's services.

Mr Liles said: "Of course we are very disappointed with this decision.

"However, we will now get on with making this new model work for patients and staff by working with our colleagues in Worthing to identify the distribution of healthcare services across the two hospitals which will deliver the most effective care for the people of West Sussex.

"I want to reassure our patients, staff and wider public that our priority will continue to be the well being of our patients.

"I also want to thank the public and the campaign group for the tremendous ongoing support they have shown the hospital throughout this difficult period."

West Sussex County Council leader Henry Smith said: "We accept the PCT has a tough decision to make at its meeting next week to decide on the location for the major general hospital.

"As a County Council we have stated many times that we do not want to see a loss of hospital services anywhere in the county for the people of West Sussex."

The county's joint health overview and scrutiny committee will be reviewing the decisions made by the PCT at its next meeting on Wednesday, June 25.

It could ultimately opt to make a referral to the secretary of state for health.

Click here for more on the Save Our Hospitals campaign.

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