Thousands of women are expected to benefit from state of the art hospital equipment being installed at a Mid Sussex hospital.

More than £200,000 is being spent on developing and equipping a hysteroscopy suite at the Princess Royal in Haywards Heath.

One-stop shop clinics at the suite will provide gynaecological treatments for women without the need for invasive hysterectomies or other major surgical procedures.

Hysteroscopy provides a way for gynaecologists to examine the uterus using a tiny camera and to perform a wide variety of procedures without a general anaesthetic.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust is paying £150,000 to develop the suite and Burgess Hill based Schering Health Care is is supplying £87,000 for the equipment.

Women will be able to go to the clinic as outpatients, told about any problems and in many cases be treated immediately without having to go on a waiting list.

The suite will also be able to offer alternative treatment for up to 60 per cent of women who would otherwise have hysterectomies.

Hospital bosses also hope clinics at the suite, which could treat up to 1,000 women a year, will help provide more operating time and beds.

Schering's medical director Peter Longthorne said: "This project will make a real difference to women from all over our region.

"We're delighted to have been able to work with the trust to make the difference in bringing this important healthcare facility to the community."