Click on the green play button to see a video interview with Mr Wilderspin, filmed just after it was announced Worthing Hospital had been recommended as West Sussex's major general hospital.

John Wilderspin said Worthing was "the best option for the county" when he revealed the recommendation at a press conference at Field Place, Goring, yesterday (Wednesday, May 28).

The decison has to be rubber-stamped by a full meeting of the health trust on Wednesday, June 4 – with the Herald organising a battle bus so anxious supporters can make sure they see this through.

Mr Wilderspin said Worthing provided the "best access for the greatest numbers of people, including those areas with the poorest health outcomes and the highest levels of deprivation".

He said the decision to choose Worthing over St Richard's Hospital, in Chichester, had "not been taken lightly", with the hospitals neck and neck in many of the criteria upon which the decision was based.

He said: "The location was a difficult decision – we are fortunate to have two very good hospitals in Chichester and Worthing, and choosing between them was always going to be hard."

The decision was welcomed cautiously by campaigners, who said they would keep the champagne on ice until the PCT board rubber stamps the decision after discussions at its meeting in Copthorne.

Worthing West MP Peter Bottomley, speaking for the Keep Worthing and Southlands Hospital campaign, said: "Thank God.

"We can believe it was a difficult decision and very close. That means that every part of the campaign effort has mattered."

Click here for more on the Save Our Hospitals campaign.

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