Chichester MP Andrew Tyrie slammed the meeting as a charade when he spoke to the audience and the board, stating the decision had already been made at a pre-meeting yesterday morning.

He said: "Have I just witnessed a charade? Is it correct to say there was a pre meeting at 9am at which this decision was taken?"

Mr Tyrie went on to say he could not believe there had been no division in the ranks of the board as all 14 members voted for the recommendation, the 15th member was unable to attend and therefore did not vote.

He added: "This change is not wanted anywhere in West Sussex. This is a huge poke in the eye for the opinions of thousands of people up and down the county who use the services."

Sara Weech, director of strategy on the board said that paramedics would be given extra training in obstetrics and pediatrics to counter the loss of services at St Richard's.

Staff on the Howard Ward at the hospital reacted angrily saying they were insulted having trained for several years for their jobs to hear a paramedic would receive only a weeks training.

Sarah Clements from the ward said: "I do have more than a weeks training. Frankly I find it insulting that you have made this decision made on very flimsy facts.

"The staff do not want to go Worthing, that is no disrespect to Worthing. What do I tell the parents when they tell me their children will die because of your proposals?"

Consultant suregon at St Richard's David Allen was worried the move would force highly skilled staff to find jobs outside the county.

"I am terrified for the people of West Sussex," he said. "The PCT has managed to win the war for Worthing but it has done nothing for St Richard's.

"I know that four consultants have been approached already asking them to apply for jobs outside the county."

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