BOSSES at Poole Hospital look set to accept plans to make Bournemouth the county's major emergency centre.

Poole Chief Executive Debbie Fleming says they must recognise "the majority view" because of Poole's financial position and the urgent need to reshape health care.

Meanwhile, the merger of the two hospital trusts could be back on the table, two years after the idea was scrapped.

Under a radical shake-up of health services across Dorset, there are proposals to designate one hospital as the emergency hub and and the other for planned care.

Until now both Bournemouth and Poole have said they would be best equipped to be the emergency centre.

Bournemouth Echo:

Dorset's Clinical Commissioning Group, which is carrying out the clinical services review, has already indicated Bournemouth is its preferred option.

However no decision has yet been made and public consultation is to take place in the autumn.

Around 50,000 people have already signed petitions calling for Poole to be the emergency hospital.

But now, in a letter to all her 3,500 staff, Mrs Fleming says it has become increasingly clear "that the view of the majority of our partners is that it would be better the develop the Royal Bournemouth for this purpose given it is less expensive to build on that site."

She adds: "At the same time we have become increasingly aware of the need to press on swiftly in our work to establish sustainable solutions within Dorset – and given our financial position, this has to be a priority for the trust. It is therefore in the interest of Poole Hospital – that is, our services, staff and patients - to get on with implementing the Clinical Services Review as quickly as possible.

"The need for change is clear, and all parties – including Poole Hospital - are in complete agreement that we cannot go on as we are and should work together for the greater good of our shared local population.

"I have written to the CCG this week to outline our commitment to working with partners to develop plans for implementing these changes, consistent with the majority view – that is, in line with Option B.

"This means that our teams will be working with colleagues within the Royal Bournemouth Hospital to develop joint plans for separating emergency and planned care between the two sites."

If the proposal went ahead, Poole would be the planned care site.

She adds: "Clearly, it is important that we play a full part in developing these plans in order to minimise disruption and avoid further delays at the end of the consultation period. As part of this work, it is also important that we further develop our plans for the major planned care hospital, which will be playing an equally vital part in the future configuration of services in Dorset.

"In the meantime, it is important to remember that no final decision has yet been made, and no changes can start to be implemented until after full public consultation.

"We expect staff to actively participate in this consultation, passing on their own views and encouraging their friends, families and neighbours to take part."

Mrs Fleming told the Daily Echo: "In arguing for Poole, we are a lone voice. We have to accept the majority view. We need to get on with it."