Haslar closure 'is victory of anarchy over democracy'

Ken Thornber's support came after the Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust (PCT) announced the hospital would be closed by the summer of 2008.

He said: "Hampshire County Council has always supported the Haslar Hospital. We recognise the strength of public feeling on this emotive issue.

"The county council's health review committee has already given its recommendations to the Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust (PCT) on the proposed changes to health services in the area and made representations to the secretaries of state for health and defence. We are still waiting for their responses.

"Future healthcare provision for Fareham and Gosport must be sustainable, affordable and meet the future health care needs of all the local community. We will continue to support the people of Gosport in their fight to save the hospital."

Haslar crusader and Gosport Council leader Peter Edgar resigned from the hospital's steering committee after hearing it would be closed.

He declared war on the PCT saying: "It is anarchy, not democracy."

When Haslar closes, services will be transferred to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham.

It is a crushing blow to the thousands of campaigners who have tried in vain to save Haslar.

Fareham Council has also agreed to challenge Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust's bid to place acute services at Queen Alexandra Hospital, feeling that the services should be shared between the Queen Alexandra site and Haslar.

The council will be writing to the county council's health review committee, Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and the Save Haslar Task Force to urge them to restore Haslar as an acute hospital.

Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Council, said: "We believe that providing community hospitals at Coldeast and Gosport War Memorial will provide the best value community health services for the area.

"The Queen Alexandra site cannot cope with all services whereas a two- site solution could work well."