HOSPITAL chiefs have been urged to consult further with users of Christchurch Hospital.

Members of the scrutiny committee at Christchurch council were considering the two options for the future of the Fairmile hospital, with recommendations to be sent to full council on March 1.

Councillors expressed concern over the extent of consultation and urged the trust to hold further public meetings.

They were dismayed that current options for the hospital had been presented less than a year after reassurances were made over its future.

Cllr Denise Jones said she thought a more substantial room would have been booked for the public meeting on March 29 considering the interest previous consultations had aroused.

She said: “We have to think of the people who live here. I do not think this (document) gives us the full picture.”

But Cllr Julie Petrie warned fellow councillors they must not put buildings before patient care.

She said: “The Christchurch site is precious to us all. But it is about the level of services that will be provided. If we do not watch out Christchurch hospital will retain some services but not of a quality. We must not put buildings in front of people.”

On March 1, full council will be asked to look at recommendations made by the scrutiny committee. These include urging the hospital trust to minimise the impact of reducing services and continue talking to the council about all options for the site as well as seeking more information on patients receiving treatment at Christchurch.

They also requested details of the travel impact should patients have to travel to Bournemouth.

The recommendations expressed support for the trust in looking at efficient uses for Christchurch in the current financial climate. The document can be accessed online at rbch.nhs.uk or via 01202 704271.

A public meeting will be held at Christchurch council’s civic offices on March 29.

Factfile

Option one focuses on securing services at Christchurch.

This includes keeping all current services on site, turning orthopaedic rehabilitation into a home-based service and creating an older people’s village with a nursing home and GP surgery.

Option two would relocate clinical services to the Royal Bournemouth site and develop more community based services while turning the site into a large older people’s village with a GP practice, pharmacy, dentist, nursing home and assisted living accommodation.

The Macmillan unit and blood testing service remain on site – subject to further consultation.