HEALTH bosses have backed plans for stop-gap services in the New Forest until Lymington's new hospital is completed in 2006.

Proposals include developing a specialist stroke unit at Milford-on-Sea Hospital and improving accommodation at other community hospitals for patients who need to stay in a hospital bed.

It has also been suggested that GPs and consultants find a way to share patients' medical care where appropriate.

NHS chiefs believe the move will be a better way of spending hundreds of thousands of pounds than keeping services at the ageing Lymington Infirmary up to scratch.

Outpatient and day care services will continue unchanged at Lymington Infirmary until the new hospital opens.

The plans were put out to public consultation for a four-week period and were met with a mixed response.

Members of the public expressed some concern over the cost of providing services and about access to the stroke unit at Milford-on-Sea.

New Forest District Council health boss Maureen Holding said she believed the proposals - particularly the move to treat some people in their own homes - would improve services for local people.

Southampton and South West Hampshire Community Health Council supported the plans, but stressed that progress reports were needed regularly and that the issue of transport to the proposed stroke unit was looked at.

The plans have been given the green light subject to the New Forest Primary Care Trust continuing to provide services at the Graham Unit, at least until the Lymington New Forest Hospital opens, and reg-

ular reports on the arrangements being made.

The health authority also stressed that transport issues relating to the Milford-on-Sea stroke unit should be looked at and that work would be carried out to respond to concerns raised about domiciliary and respite care.