A pilot project to send patients to overseas hospitals for operations has been hailed a success.

Four out of every five patients who took part in the Government scheme said they were "very satisfied" with their treatment, says an independent report by the York Health Economics Consortium.

Fifty patients from West Sussex waiting for operations on the NHS were sent to hospitals in Germany and France.

The first group flew out in February for hip replacements or cataract surgery.

West Sussex was chosen as a pilot site because it had one of the worst records in England for long waiting lists.

Interviews with the 190 patients revealed 152 were very happy with their treatment.

However there was some criticism of the transport arrangements and the after-care they received when they returned to the UK.

GPs, surgeons and clinical staff in England also voiced some concerns about the project.

They said a lot of effort had gone into a scheme which had had little impact on waiting lists.

More money could have been invested in health services in the UK, they said.

Primary Care Trusts across Sussex are being contacted by the Department of Health, which is telling them that sending patients abroad can be an option if necessary.