The move comes after a decision by Alan Johnson, Secretary of State for Health.

East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC), which acts as a watchdog, has welcomed his announcement that the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) will carry out the full review of the controversial proposals and investigate concerns raised.

Cllr Sylvia Tidy, HOSC chairman, said, "Local mothers-to-be deserve the very best in maternity services. The IRP can help us ensure this happens.

"Its job as independent experts is to weigh up the pros and cons of these proposals and give informed advice to the Secretary of State as to how maternity services in Eastbourne and Hastings should be changed."

East Sussex Downs and Weald and Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) are making the case for one consultant-led maternity service at Hastings and a midwife-led birthing centre at Eastbourne.

Their decision was made last December, which attracted anger from Save the DGH campaigners, who wanted to retain consultant-led maternity services in Eastbourne and warned that mums and babies would die en route to Hastings.

Over the next month, the IRP will discuss the issues with a wide range of stakeholders from obstetricians and midwives to local campaigners, NHS bosses and HOSC members.

It will also consider additional submitted evidence, such as the business case behind the proposals as put forward by the county's PCTs, and HOSC's findings following its scrutiny of the Fit for the Future plans.

The review will draw to a close in mid-June. After that, the IRP will make recommendations to the Secretary of State who is expected to announce his decision in the autumn.

Dr Peter Barrett, Chair of the IRP, said, "The focus of our reviews is always the patient and the quality of care.

"During the course of the review the IRP will be listening to all sides of the debate and gathering evidence locally to ensure that our recommendations are in the best interests of local people."

Save the DGH campaigner Liz Walke said, "Let's hope that this process is not more of the same.

"If the IRP are truly independent and focus on what the public want, together with what every single GP in Eastbourne thinks is safe, they will be recommending to the Secretary of State for Health that the decision to downgrade the maternity unit at Eastbourne be reversed.
"We would urge everybody to have their say and ask to meet with the IRP. This really is the last chance saloon to have your say."

Eastbourne MP Nigel Waterson added, "I very much welcome the IRP starting work in our area. They hopefully will bring a fresh, unbiased and expert attitude to these plans.

"I certainly intend to meet them and press the case for a fresh approach. Only the other day I heard the Minister Lord Darzi claiming that these decisions should be made locally and have the support of local people. I trust that will be the approach adopted by the Panel."

Those who wish to contact the IRP can do so by calling 020 7389 8055 or by e-mailing - info@irpanel.org.uk