Health chiefs have unveiled details of radical plans for the future of Southlands Hospital.

A three-month public consultation is due to be launched before the end of the year on a series of proposed changes at the Shoreham hospital.

The aim of the changes is to ensure the survival of Southlands into the 21st Century by enhancing and developing its strengths and tackling its weaknesses.

East and West Sussex Health Authorities, primary care groups, hospital and community trusts are all in agreement with the proposals.

They now plan to embark on a major public consultation exercise to give all residents, patients, carers and interest groups full details on the changes and how they will affect them.

The changes involve transferring all acute in-patient services currently at Southlands, such as orthopaedics and day surgery, to Worthing Hospital by 2003.

The childrens' centre at Shoreham will also be transferred to a new unit at Worthing.

There will also be a shake-up of mental health facilities at Southlands, which will see the eventual closure of the Ridings and Birchfield wards, with elderly and mentally-ill patients being transferred to a new site in Worthing.

Both wards do not meet Patient Charter standards for basic privacy and dignity and staff from the Worthing Priority Care Trust, which manages the wards, say it will be easier to find a new location rather than try and redevelop the existing one.

In the short term, both wards will be refurbished and upgraded to a basic standard. The changes will mean more space for the development of out-patient and rehabilitation services at Southlands, making it a centre of excellence.

Stroke, amputee and neuro-rehabilitation services will stay at Southlands but will be expanded when South Downs NHS Trust transfers its artificial limbs and appliances, wheelchair and out-patient services from Brighton General.

Local out-patient services, including therapy and X-ray facilities, will also remain at the Shoreham hospital.

Michael Taylor, chief executive of West Sussex Health Authority, said: "We have a commitment to the people of this part of Sussex and we must continue to provide a range of key services and facilities.

"The future of Southlands is healthy with local services for the community getting an enhanced role."

Negotiations will be carried out with local bus companies, ambulance services and volunteer drivers to ensure people do not find it difficult to reach the relocated services.

Sean Duggan, director of mental health and specialist services at Worthing Priority Care Trust, said: "We cover a large area between Littlehampton, Worthing and Shoreham and most of the patients at Southlands comes from the Worthing area. It therefore would make sense to concentrate on finding a more central location in the Worthing area rather than trying to renovate the existing facilities."

The cost of the changes is expected to be in the region of £15 million and part of the money will come from the sale of surplus land in the grounds of Southlands.

If the proposals go ahead it will take up to five years for them to be completed.