NHS cardiology lab relocated, despite opposition

An NHS Trust has confirmed the relocation of a cardiology catheterisation (cath) laboratory to another West Sussex town, despite concerns from residents.

The facility at St Richard's Hospital in Chichester was closed in January 2025 due to ventilation system issues.

A University Hospitals Sussex NHS Trust spokesperson said the lab had moved to Worthing Hospital, affecting about 300 patients per year requiring pacemaker procedures.

Prof Katie Urch, chief medical officer of the trust, said the decision was based on "new national guidelines" which meant cath labs needed to be in hospitals with two or more labs "to improve safety and efficiency".

"This is the nature of modern medicine, ensuring patients are seen by larger integrated teams at specialist centres," she said.

Urch said vital services would be centralised at St Richard's, which included relocating Worthing Hospital's stroke department to a new acute stroke centre at St Richard's.

She added the trust would continue to invest in cardiology services in Chichester, which included developing a modern non-invasive diagnostic CT scanning service.

The trust said there was "no change" to urgent or emergency heart attack care, or other cardiology services including the cardiology ward and outpatients clinics at St Richard's.

Last year a campaign was launched in an attempt to persuade the trust not to relocate the cath lab to Worthing.

The petition collected more than 13,000 signatures, with concerns including elderly patients having to travel further afield for appointments.

Jess Brown-Fuller, MP for Chichester, said she was "deeply disappointed" with the trust's decision.

"I am seeking assurances that staff currently working in the cath lab will have their roles protected," she added.

Brown-Fuller said she "welcomed" the trust's investment into St Richard's cardiology care.

The trust said before St Richard's cath lab was closed in January 2025, it was only open three days a week.

Prof Andrew Rhodes, joint chief medical officer at NHS Sussex said cath labs should be "used for 40 hours a week to ensure good use of resources".

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