PLANS for integrated community services in Dorset are positive 'in principle' but there are 'many doubts around proper and successful implementation in practice.'

That is the view of those who responded to NHS Dorset CCG's Clinical Services Review public consultation on its model for 'care closer to home' according to headline findings.

But as previously revealed, community hospitals could be replaced with ‘hubs’ which would reduce the number of sites with beds in the county from 13 to just seven.

According to questionnaires returned to independent analysts Opinion Research Services (ORS), 41 per cent of 15,768 people support Dorset CCG's plans while 52 per cent oppose them.

People say while it could offer more 'accessible healthcare', a 'reduction in pressures on A&E, acute hospitals and GP surgeries' and 'more continuity for patients', there are concerns.

These include resourcing and recruitment issues, that social care pressures 'may prevent people being properly supported in their own homes' and some said it was 'difficult to make a judgement on hubs without more information.'

If the plans go ahead, Alderney, Westhaven and St Leonards face closure as services move to hubs.

Community hubs with beds would be located at the major planned hospital at Poole, Wimborne, Bridport, Blandford, Sherborne, Swanage and Weymouth.

This means community hubs without beds would be at Shaftesbury, Christchurch, Dorset County Hospital, Portland and Wareham, a move which has raised concerns among the public.

However, it is recommended alternative sites for community hubs without beds are found for the Shaftesbury, Portland and Wareham sites.

If these are secured, these community hospitals will close.

The majority of people who submitted a questionnaire opposed plans to close St Leonards Hospital, the report reveals.

In total 44 per cent of all 7,875 responses are against the proposals, 33 per cent agreed with health chiefs’ proposals to create a community hub with the remaining voting 'neither.' Meanwhile 39 per cent of 1724 NHS employees opposed the plans and 42 per cent agreed with them.

A petition ‘Save St Leonards Hospital’ which received 6,326 signatures read: “St Leonards is used to rehabilitate patients who are not ready to return home. A very busy physiotherapy and out patients department also provides many services. Without this hospital you will lose these precious services and will have to be treated at home or in a home.”

Concerns included that the hospital is a well-used and much needed facility especially by elderly people, it offers a range of services and many would struggle to travel elsewhere, the travel times to Wimborne are longer than suggested and there would be additional pressure on acute and other hospitals if it was closed.

The CCG will review the report carefully before decisions are made in September ‘at the earliest.’