A DECISION to extend a public consultation into the future of NHS services in Fareham and Gosport has sparked fury from Save Haslar campaigners who believe the move makes the whole process a "sham".

A three-month consultation period had been due to end on Monday, but members of Fareham and Gosport's Primary Care Trust (PCT)

have decided they need four more weeks after failing to have financial information in place in time.

Save Haslar Taskforce spokesman Councillor Peter Edgar believes patients and consultees deserve to know the full facts about costs before making a decision.

Cllr Edgar has questioned PCT figures which suggest saving the historic Royal Hospital Haslar in Gosport would cost £29m more than closing it.

He wants the consultation to be relaunched when the financial information is published in a business case at the end of this week.

Cllr Edgar said: "This one move makes all the public meetings we've had a complete sham. Extending it means the first part is null and void.

"If new evidence has come to light about finances that wasn't previously available to the public, it is only sensible for the exercise to start again. The full facts weren't available to the public last time and this is a complex issue.

"We are dealing with the health of thousands of people for decades to come. It's vital we get it right and surely it's worth taking time over?"

The meeting originally set for final decision day - November 3 at 7pm at Cams Hill School in Portchester - will now be used as an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions on finances and the business case.

A final decision will now be made on Wednesday, December 15 at the Holy Trinity Church in West Street, Fareham, from 7pm.

PCT chairman Lucy Docherty said: "Because we were unable to publish the business case until this week, we felt it was appropriate to extend the consultation for a further four weeks.

"This will allow time for people to read the document and to feed back their questions and comments to the PCT and will ensure that local people are more fully involved in the proposed changes."

The business case can be accessed at www. farehamandgosportpct.nhs.uk, by e-mailing fandgpct.services@ports.nhs.uk or calling 01329 226120 from tomorrow.