Health chiefs have put on hold public discussion of plans to close a hospital ward for the elderly mentally ill in Winchester.

Barbara North, chairman of Mid-Hampshire Primary Care Trust, said more time was needed for board members to consider preferred options for the "reprovision" of Shawford Ward at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital.

The primary care trust was being asked to approve what will go out for public consultation next month (November).

West Hants NHS Trust, which runs mental health services, aims to cut costs by closing the 16-bed ward and develop community-based services.

But patient watchdog, Winchester and Eastleigh Community Health Council and the local Alzheimer's Society fear it would mean there would no longer be hospital beds for dementia sufferers in Winchester.

At present, the ward provides vital respite care, as well as inpatient assessment and treatment.

Speaking at the public board meeting on Tuesday, Mrs North said there was "some concern in Winchester that re-provision may not be in Winchester, but in Eastleigh or Andover. So it is important we go through this methodically."

Instead, the proposals will be debated at the board's next meeting.