RADICAL plans that will decide the future of Christchurch Hospital will be debated by the borough council’s scrutiny committee on Tuesday before being referred to the council meeting on March 1.

Council leader John Lofts is now urging residents to become involved in the consultation procedure.

Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Foundation Trust, which says the site is only half used, is consulting on two options.

One is to secure services which have not already been moved to the Royal Bournemouth Hospital – such as oncology and medicine for the elderly, dermatology, rheumatology and blood testing – and use the spare land as an older people’s village with a GP surgery, pharmacy and nursing home. The alternative is to move all services except the Macmillan Unit and blood testing to Royal Bournemouth Hospital, with the rest of the spacious site developed as a larger village for the elderly and the possibility of some key-worker housing.

Councillor Lofts said: “The proposals will have important implications for Christchurch and it’s vital that everyone gives the options for the hospital site proper consideration so that the Foundation Trust can come up with the best solution for Christchurch people.

“The draft annual plan sets out the reasons behind the proposals and we need to make sure that we understand what is driving the changes being proposed.

“We are committed to representing the views of Christchurch residents but we would encourage anyone with an interest in how the site is used in the future to respond to the consultation.”

• The NHS trust will hold a public meeting in the council chamber at the Civic Offices at 6pm on Tuesday, March 29.