The review, in 2001 by the Audit Commission, focused on bed-blocking problems in the county.

East Sussex County Council is now set to use the government cash to cut hospital admissions and bed-blocking.

Last month, it was claimed a medically fit 87-year-old hospital patient in Hastings was deteriorating because a nursing home place could not be found.

Figures obtained by BBC South East Today showed that 75 hospital beds were blocked in East Sussex and 68 in Kent, with bed-blocking across the country costing the NHS �170m a year.

It will provide opportunities for residents to age well with dignity Bill Bentley

The council said it needed to find funds to move Ellen Wallace, of Rye, into a residential nursing home and that it was concerned about delays, but the council had a "very poor settlement" from government.

This month, announcing the successful bid to the Department of Health, Councillor Bill Bentley said the positive outcome was a direct result of the 2001 review.

He said money would be used to replace three existing buildings in Uckfield, Ringmer and Hastings and build a fourth new centre in Rother.

"It will provide opportunities for residents to age well with dignity," he said.

Each centre will be used to provide residential care, day therapy, GP and pharmacy services, a cafe and flats, with other health, housing and support services.

Building work is set to start in 2008 with completion of three centres by 2009 and the fourth by 2010.