Haslar fears taken to the government

Members of the county council's Health Review Committee are to write to the government, the Ministry of Defence and Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust (PCT), saying the closure of the historic hospital should be reconsidered.

They agreed to voice their serious concerns over proposed changes to NHS services in the two towns to the secretaries of state for health and defence and the Defence Select Committee.

Chairman Councillor Ray Ellis said: "This is a complex and highly emotive issue, and the way forward must be right for the people of Fareham and of Gosport, now and in the future.

"There is no doubting that the provision of health services in the area need to change and what is vital is that what emerges is sustainable, affordable, and meets the future healthcare needs of the community.

"The committee has made a number of recommendations to the PCT, the Ministry of Defence and the government which address what it believes to be outstanding issues, and I now await their responses."

The committee says that past commitments made by the Ministry of Defence about the closure of Haslar Hospital should be kept and that Haslar should stay open at least until the redevelopment at Portsmouth's Queen Alexandra Hospital is complete.

Councillors also believe that a rethink on the future provision of military and civilian healthcare in the light of recent changes in world security is needed.

A series of recommendations will now be forwarded to the PCT Board ahead of their meeting on December 15, at which a final decision on the way forward is expected to be taken.

l Fareham MP Mark Hoban has spoken out on the issue to call for more facilities at the Fareham Community Hospital proposed in the shake-up.

He said: "It is time for a fair deal for Fareham. Local people are being short-changed on healthcare. People who have accidents at home should be treated nearer to home rather than having to travel to the Queen Alexandra in Cosham."