Operations delayed by cash crisis

The move has come in a week when the Royal College of Nursing warned that patient services and jobs in the county were being hit as NHS deficits took their toll.

St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, has been told by the Western Sussex Primary Care Trust to rebook many patients for appointments in the new financial year starting next month, because the trust does not have enough money available in the current year.

Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert said it was outrageous and perverse that the hospital was effectively being penalised for being too efficient and treating patients too quickly.

For full story, see West Sussex Gazette, March 2.