CONCERNS have been raised over the future of a Hampshire hospital after it closed its doors to new patients.

The refusal to admit new in-patients came after bosses at the Hampshire Primary Care Trust suspended a member of staff over allegations surrounding "quality of care" after allegations made by patients and relatives.

New Forest MPs Julian Lewis and Desmond Swayne called the action "suspicious" and said they fear the trust is trying to shut the community hospital - one of five saved in a campaign by residents in the New Forest - "by the back door".

They were both told of the situation during a phone call from trust chief executive, Gareth Cruddace on Friday.

An internal investigation was launched which has since sparked an external inquiry.

Julian Lewis said: "To close an in-patient ward in this way seems highly suspicious. What we can't understand is why complaints against a few staff members have led to this preposterous action to close a ward, unless they are trying to do this all along."

Desmond Swayne said he was suspicious when Mr Cruddace could not guarantee the hospital would reopen to in-patients, adding: "What I fear is that this is a case of trying to close beds by the back door."

In a statement issued last night, Mr Cruddace said: "We had to act swiftly to safeguard patients. We refute claims the actions we have taken are an attempt to close Fordingbridge Hospital by the back door.

"I'm confident the measures we've put in place will deliver safe, high-quality care and would like to reassure local people that we will be monitoring the situation very closely to ensure that patient care is not compromised in any way.

"Of course we would like to give an unequivocal guarantee that the hospital will reopen to admissions soon, but we can only do this when we are assured that it is in the best interests of patients to do so.

"Until we have the outcome of the enquiry and its recommendations we cannot predict what actions might need to be taken."