A new trust is likely to run most main hospital services in Brighton and Mid Sussex from April next year.

It will be a merger of Brighton Health Care and Mid Sussex NHS trusts and is hardly a big surprise.

The two trusts have been working closely together for several years.

There could be benefits to patients through the reduction of bureaucracy if the merger really does provide a more efficient service.

But there are doubts too. Already there is strong opposition to plans for downgrading the accident and emergency services at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

This merger would allow more Mid Sussex patients to be treated many miles away in Brighton and some from the coast having to make awkward journeys to Haywards Heath. That may suit consultants but it won't suit most patients. If specialist treatment is required for a serious complaint, most patients are prepared to travel. The fear is this coming together of trusts could lead to longish journeys for routine cases.

It's also yet another upheaval in a health service which never seems to go more than two or three years without major change which is stressful for staff and patients. This could only be the first of a series of Sussex health trust mergers and there is no sign of an end in sight.