I've seen it '“ I know why this will cost lives

m A lady stabbed in the heart during a domestic. Her chest was opened in A&E, a finger applied to the hole and the rest of the operation was successfully completed in theatre .

m A child of thee had fallen on to a coffee table, rupturing her trachea '“ the air which had escaped collapsed her lungs. Letting the air out with a needle and passing a breathing tube into the trachea allowed the child to be stabilised for transfer to Southampton

The PCT has produced a plan which fails half the population of West Sussex in providing health which is not up to the standard of 30 years ago.

Maybe the PCT should give our slice of the budget to the Chichester trusts to work out how best to provide health for the population they have served so well.

Tony Conyers,

retired anaesthetist & ITU consultant

Last week, my husband Paul was admitted to Chilgrove Ward for treatment. When the ambulance arrived to take him into hospital, I asked where he was going and the staff said St Richard's.

I said thankfully it was not to Queen Alexandra. The ambulance service said when St Richards goes, we will not be given an option '“ it will have to be the QA.

We will consider moving home if that is where we have to go.

Paul & Barbara Greene, Southbourne

Early in 2004 my mother was taken by ambulance from her nursing home on the Manhood peninsula suffering heart failure. When she was moved into resuscitation, the A&E consultant said to me: 'We are lucky, we had only a 15-minute window.'

She was successfully treated, but there would have been a drastically different outcome had it been necessary to travel to Worthing.

Joan Harris, Chalcraft Lane, Bognor Regis

It would be easier to understand all these decisions if there were medical staff at St Richard's twiddling their thumbs waiting for something to do. But during my visits I haven't noticed that..

Wendy Devonshire, Sidlesham

The powers-that-be making the decision to close this are totally out of touch with the people of West Sussex and should hang their heads in shame.

David Gilroy, Aldwick

Four years ago I had a severe asthma attack which resulted in a cardiac arrest. I was on a ventilator for nine days. The hospital saved my life. I don't think getting to Worthing would have been an option. I am very nervous about the future.

Patricia Shepherd

We are disgusted the PCT board appeared to be biased in favour of Worthing with no representative from north of the Downs in the Midhurst and Petworth area or even Chichester to fight for their patients.

St Richard's is a marvellous hospital. How can the PCT justify their decision to close a centre of excellence? Does Worthing have this accolade?

My mum owes her life to the marvellous surgeon who rescued her when her bowel perforated eight years ago. Without St Richard's I wouldn't still have my mum.

Gail and Anne Southin, Bognor Regis

I have had to be taken to St Richard's by ambulance with firstly a heart attack and, on another occasion, some further heart problems. Without their professionalism I would probably not have survived.

Patients, particularly north of the Downs, would have a potentially-lethal extra journey of many miles to an A&E department and for many, much-needed visiting would be out of the question, denying patients of important boosts to morale.

I really hope there is a chance decisions to deny us this vital facility can be reconsidered as to lose it would be an absolute disaster for our community.

Andrew Chiverton (a now-healthy

47-year-old), Midhurst

In January 2007 my wife suffered a severe heart attack and was taken to St Richard's. According to the A&E staff, she arrived only just in time. If she had been taken to Worthing she, like many other patients, would not be alive today.

Dennis Ticehurst, Taylors Field, Midhurst

In 1993 I had bowel cancer, and 14 years later it decided to raise its ugly head again. I was treated by the same consultant, which was so comforting.

For the people of Chichester and all around, the future feels very frightening.

Glasdy and Jim King,

Pound Farm Road, Chichester

My husband had a major heart attack in July 2000. Thanks to the quick response and the wonderful attention of the cardiac team, he survived.

I was taken ill in 2003. Within a couple of hours of having a CT scan I was admitted to St Richard's and subsequently my kidney was removed. Had the abscess burst, I would not be writing this today.

Our roads are gridlocked and this can only get worse with new housing destined for the south. Having to travel to Worthing or Portsmouth will mean many lives will be lost. Elderly people will be unable to make these journeys, especially taking account of the cost of keeping a car on the road.

If these ludicrous plans go ahead, the PCT will have blood on their hands.

Margaret Clarke, Nutbourne