“OUR future is in their hands.” The Christchurch League of Friends is anxious for news about the next step for the town’s hospital, as it could decide the group’s own future.

At the organisation’s annual general meeting, more concerns were raised about the uncertain future of the hospital following some big changes over the past few months, including the transfer of a number of wards to Royal Bournemouth Hospital last year.

A controversial consultation on the measures before Christmas last year was widely criticised by local people, including the borough council, following revelations that some of the proposed ward transfers had already taken place before the end of the consultation.

Since then, the Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals Trust has held another public consultation with local people on its annual plan, setting out a range of options for the future of the much-loved facility.

Joan Pounds, volunteers manager and chairman of the Christchurch League of Friends, said: “There are still a lot of concerned people. The sooner the results of the consultation are published the better.

“No news means fears are increasing and morale is getting lower.

“Our future is entirely dependent on what happens with the hospital and at the moment it’s difficult to know what our role will be.”

The League of Friends raised nearly £33,000 for hospital equipment last year and this year expects to give around £45,000 for a therapeutic garden and specialist equipment for the day hospital.

“The point is that this hospital does need our contribution but we need to make sure the equipment is for the people of Christchurch,” said Mr Pounds.

“We are the Christchurch League of Friends and we want to raise money for Christchurch Hospital – not see it all go to Bournemouth.

“We have been assured the day hospital is staying but everything else is still so up in the air.”