A CHILDREN'S ward could be closed because it does not have enough patients.

The closure of Horsted Keynes ward at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath is being considered by Mid Sussex NHS Trust.

If the decision is taken to close the 12-bed ward later this year, youngsters will be sent to hospitals in other towns, including Brighton, Worthing and Redhill.

The ward treats mostly youngsters over three years for broken bones or minor ear, nose and throat conditions.

About 1,000 children are admitted to the ward each year.

Children with serious medical conditions, such as breathing problems, suspected meningitis, and liver and kidney ailments are not seen there.

They are sent to Crawley Hospital as part of existing arrangements.

Managers at the trust have had to consider closure of the ward because the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health has warned it does not have enough patients each year to give junior doctors a wide enough range of experience.

Under the existing arrangements the trust needs the junior doctors to keep the ward running.

Roger Greene, chief executive of the Mid Sussex NHS Trust, refused to confirm or deny a report to the Argus that closure of the ward was one of the favoured choices.

Mr Greene said: "As part of any appraisal plan you have got to look at a full range of scenarios."

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