Plans to invest more than £17 million at Crawley Hospital have been given a cautious welcome.
Campaigners had fought for a major hospital to be built at nearby Pease Pottage but this was ruled out over the costs involved.
Instead, Crawley Primary Care Trust plans to develop services at the existing hospital in West Green, which it says will make health care more accessible.
Campaigner Helen James, from Pound Hill, Crawley, said she was disappointed the Pease Pottage hospital option had been rejected but was pleased money was being spent to improve services.
She said: "Maybe one day we might eventually get the new hospital."
The trust has spent five months developing an outline business plan, which has now been given to Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority for consideration.
If approved, a more detailed set of proposals will be drawn up and sent to the Department of Health.
The health authority board will discuss the plan at its meeting on July 23.
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