PLANS by health chiefs in Fareham and Gosport for a drastic overhaul of NHS services in the towns will come under scrutiny at two special meetings this week.

Members of Hampshire's health review committee are to decide whether they are satisfied that a proper public consultation has taken place into the issue on Friday.

And the consultation will also come under the spotlight at a meeting of Fareham and Gosport Patient and Public Involvement Forum tonight.

Both meetings come ahead of a final decision day on December 15, when board members of Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust (PCT) will debate the merits of two options for the future of all healthcare services - one of which will see the closure of the Royal Hospital Haslar.

The health review committee will decide whether they are satisfied with the nature, scope and duration of the consultation and whether the way forward is in the interests of health services in Fareham and Gosport, and will hear the views of key bodies.

Committee chairman Councillor Ray Ellis said: "This is a very complex and significant issue for the people of Fareham and Gosport and this meeting will give committee members the opportunity to hear the case for change and the views of key stakeholders, as well as asking questions of those involved.

"The health review committee needs to be satisfied that robust consultation has taken place, and that the way forward is in the interests of the health service in Fareham and Gosport.

"This meeting will allow members of the committee to carry out their vital role in this process."

A meeting at Winchester's Royal Hotel on Friday at 9.30am will hear from the PCT, the NHS, borough councils, community groups, MPs, the Haslar Task Force, Hampshire Social Services and the Ministry of Defence.

Tonight, the patients' forum will be discussing the consultation at Crofton Community Centre in Stubbington Lane, Stubbingon, from 7pm.

Option one would see Haslar retained and a new Fareham Community Hospital built to replace Fareham Health Centre and Hill Park Clinic.

Option two would see community hospitals as the hub of services in both towns, but Haslar would be lost.