Demands grew today for full public disclosure of the pay-off to a debt-hit hospital trust's outgoing boss.

There is speculation that Annette Sergeant has been given a package of up to £300,000 from East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust.

But details are being kept secret by the trust, which runs Eastbourne District General Hospital and the Conquest Hospital, St Leonards.

Calls for her severance pay to be revealed came as Mrs Sergeant said she was leaving after three years to "pursue new career opportunities".

Eastbourne Tory MP Nigel Waterson said the money could have been used for patient care.

He said: "Now the terms for Annette Sergeant's departure have been agreed, there is no good reason to withhold the details of any severance package. These should appear in the trust accounts in due course but I believe my constituents have a right to know the details now.

"I assume any package is likely to be substantial and will come out of funds that could have been devoted to patient care.

"The public have a right to know the details and without delay."

Other politicians, including Hastings and Rye Labour MP Michael Foster and Bexhill and Battle Tory MP Greg Barker, plan to meet trust chairman John Lewis to demand answers.

Mr Foster said he found it hard to believe the debt-ridden trust would agree a package with the figures being speculated.

The trust said: "The nature of the agreement between the trust and Annette Sergeant means we cannot discuss such matters."

The Argus reported last week that Mrs Sergeant was to be replaced by Kim Hodgson, currently deputy chief executive and director of operations at East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust, on October 10.

Mrs Sergeant joined East Sussex in 2002 when it was formed from the merger of Eastbourne Hospitals and Hastings and Rother NHS trusts.

Her final months in charge were marred by unprecedented bed pressures and multi-million pound financial problems.

The trust - which gained one star from the Healthcare Commission in its annual performance ratings - is more than £3 million in the red. It has debts from last year and has already overspent, meaning it must save £17 million by the end of March to balance its books.

The crisis has led to fears of job cuts. In addition there has been a long-running acute bed-blocking problem, said to be among the worst in the country, and damaging allegations of bullying.

Mrs Sergeant has been off work since mid-June and director of finance David Townsley acted as chief executive in her absence.

When Mrs Hodgson's appointment was announced last week the trust said Mrs Sergeant was still employed there.

Yesterday Mr Lewis revealed she was to leave. He paid tribute to her, highlighting the difficulties of managing two large hospitals 20 miles apart.

Mr Lewis said: "Annette has led the organisation through a difficult merger and we have been fortunate to have had such an experienced chief executive during that time.

"She has shown energy and huge dedication in the way she has worked. I thank her for her contribution and wish her well."