The NHS is tight-lipped over Chase Community Hospital and the health hub but has accepted Whitehill Town Council’s invitation to a question and answer session at Oakmoor School on Tuesday at 6.30pm.
Confirmed as attending from the NHS Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group are managing director Sara Tiller, clinical director Dr Zaid Hirmiz, and head of estates strategy and capital projects Lisa Medway.
Representing the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust will be director of operations Nicky Creighton-Young, and director of strategy and infrastructure transformation Heather Mitchell. Also there will be Dr Anthony Leung, senior GP from the Badgerswood and Forest Surgeries.
Council leader Cllr Andy Tree said: “Neither me nor the town council can control the NHS, but by organising public meetings like this we hope to improve communication and hold decision-makers to account.”
As a Hampshire county councillor, Cllr Tree also asked for “an initial update” through the health and adult social care select committee on May 24.
The NHS clinical commissioning group said: “Chase Community Hospital continues to provide a range of physical and mental health services delivered through a number of community providers which include therapies, baby and children’s clinics, sexual health, substance misuse, counselling and screening services as well as child and adolescent, adult and older people’s mental health.
“All of the services currently provided have been planned into the health hub. We are aware that there remain some concerns about the future of Chase Community Hospital in the local community. The hospital will remain open until an alternative is available.”
Cllr Tree said: “There is a lot of public sentiment and support for Chase Hospital and I have always opposed reduction in services there.
“It is now for the NHS clinical commissioning group to outline their plans and explain to us why they feel a health hub would be better for residents and why they want us to support it. I hope as many residents as possible will come to the meeting to ask questions, hear the arguments and form a view on the plans.”