Health chiefs who propose downgrading A&E at a Sussex hospital say it will not be their fault if it happens.
West Sussex Health Authority and East Sussex, Brighton and Hove Health Authority issued a joint statement in response to the Argus' petition launch on Tuesday.
We are campaigning against the proposed downgrading of accident and emergency services at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, a move which would see many patients transferred to Brighton instead.
The joint statement said: "The health authorities emphasise that it is not the local NHS which wishes to adapt the A&E at the Princess Royal."
Instead, the authorities said forecast medical standards and the views of the royal colleges had led them to conclude "it will not be possible to run a full A&E indefinitely".
Under the controversial proposals, medical emergencies such as asthma, strokes and heart attacks would be dealt with at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, and the Princess Royal.
But health chiefs are suggesting all trauma cases, such as crash victims or broken hips, and all emergency surgery should go to the Royal Sussex County.
A review board, including representatives of health trusts and other bodies, drew up a discussion document on the issue, which was officially released on Monday, a day before we launched our petition. The health authorities' joint statement described our campaign as "premature" and "disappointing".
But Mid Sussex councillor Anne Jones said: "I'm not surprised they're rattled by the fact that people are expressing real concerns. Did they not expect there to be a lot of anxiety?"
The discussion document, Modern Hospital Services for Central Sussex, is available from the Central Sussex Partnership Programme, Springman House, 8 North Street, Lewes BN7 2PB; Tel: 01273 485391. Comments should be made by October 13.
Our petition form was printed in the Argus on Tuesday, copies are available on 01273 544712. The form can also be printed from the news (local issues) section of our website thisismidsussex.co.uk
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