Decision - Royal Sussex County Hospital Accident & Emergency Department

Resolved to: 1) Request that the Leader of the Council write to the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust to request that :- a. A a contingency plan is put in place for adding short-term capacity while redevelopment is in progress. b. A detailed analysis is shared with the Council of the planning, specification and futureproofing of the new look A&E, with updated time scales for delivery. 2) Request officers to consider, alongside local NHS providers, how to reduce demand through enhanced signposting and redirection, as well as through increased take up of vaccinations against flu, covid and other respiratory diseases.

The council noted that the Royal Sussex County Hospital serves a large area as a regional trauma centre, but that limited space and pressure on primary care contribute to overcrowding in A&E. It resolved to seek a contingency plan and detailed redevelopment information from University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust, while working with local NHS providers to reduce demand.