A DOCTOR has called for Swanage residents to defend themselves from NHS cuts and safeguard community care.

Dr Jon Orrell wants Purbeck residents to have their say on the consultation on proposals that could see major changes to hospitals and healthcare across Dorset.

The GP, and Green Party councillor, will be speaking at a Swanage Forum open meeting, set for Emmanuel Church, Swanage, next week

The forum has been called ahead of an official drop-in session at the same venue the week later - as part of NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group's (CCG) ongoing Clinical Services Review.

The CCG wants to make Royal Bournemouth Hospital the county's major emergency hospital, leaving Poole Hospital for planned care.

Health chiefs also want a shake-up of community hospitals, that could affect facilities at Wareham and Swanage.

Dr Orrell, who was also elected onto Weymouth & Portland Borough Council last May, said: "The Swanage community has a very strong reputation for successfully defending itself from cuts in the past and for protecting its NHS and social care services.

"Under the current proposals, it looks set to retain Swanage Community Hospital and 15 beds and many local services. But, in order to make informed choices, it is important to be aware that this current consultation is not about improvement and investment.

"It is about government underfunding and cuts. Swanage and the villages will not be immune and some local GP practices could be affected."

Dr Orrell, who will share his concerns at the Swanage Forum meeting, is also worried that Poole Hospital's A&E department is under threat.

"This means longer trips to the far side of Bournemouth - not easy on a summer's day from Swanage," he said. "So remember, the cost of victory is eternal vigilance. Many of my concerns are about what is not included in the public consultation document."

Dorset CCG has already distributed 75,000 copies of its clinical review 'Improving Dorset's healthcare' across the county and has announced a series of public events urging people to get involved.

Among the plans up for consultation include cutting the numbers of community hospitals from 13 to just seven 'community hubs' with beds, and a further five 'community hubs' without beds.

The CCG says the review was launched in response to major challenges which healthcare face both in Dorset and across the rest of the country. These include an increasing demand on services, workforce shortages, and a potential funding gap of at least £158m per year by 2020 if nothing is done.

Health bosses are adamant they will remain 'open minded' about the consultation results, and have assured the public their views will be heard before any decisions will are made.

Swanage Forum's open meeting is scheduled for Emmanuel Baptist Church Centre, on Wednesday, January 11, at 7pm.

The CCG drop-in event is set for the same venue on January 17.

The public consultation on the review runs until February 28.