Changes to emergency care had been planned for August

Crawley Hospital's 24-hour unit was to become an overnight walk-in centre for minor injuries from August.

A spokesman said the move was now being phased in from the end of June.

"We decided to phase these changes in as we are having difficulties providing full staffing overnight at Crawley Accident and Emergency," he said.

From the end of June, patients who need emergency care between 2100 and 0800 will be taken to East Surrey Hospital in Redhill and treated there, he added.

He said that the accident and emergency department will then stay open during the day until August 2004 when it will become a full-time minor injuries walk-in centre and all emergency patients will be cared for at East Surrey Hospital.

According to the hospital, 75% of patients currently treated at the accident and emergency department will still be treated at the walk-in centre.

"Only the seriously ill will go to East Surrey Hospital either by ambulance or car," the spokesman said.

The changes are due to be implemented on 28 June - the NHS Trust has said the move which affects emergency care in the Crawley, Redhill and Horsham areas reflects best clinical practice.