The forces of common sense rail against the decision to remove the A&E department from the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton. We are told a consultation process is going on but I believe we are years too late, despite all the celebrities and big guns attempting to influence an obstinate bureaucracy.

An A&E department for the Princess Royal Hospital was included in the original plans, but when these were presented to the West Sussex Area Health Authority they were taken out. It was only by a determined effort from Margaret Lister Williams, a district council-nominated member at the time, that the department was restored.

The bureaucrats then appeared to change their minds and accept Mid Sussex must have the facilities we at present enjoy. However, once a bureaucratic mind is made up, it is not for changing, however long it might have to lie low awaiting the right moment.

For proof, you only need to look at the current Yellow Pages, which shows the Conquest, Eastbourne District General, Royal Sussex County and Worthing Hospitals as having 24 hour A&E departments, but not the Princess Royal.

So the intention to close never went away. Are the reasons given now the same as they always were or have they been recently invented?

-John O'Riley, Downs View Road, Hassocks