HEALTH chiefs have admitted that more medical services are likely to move from Winchester to Southampton.

Struggling with multi-million pound deficits, they are looking to reduce "duplication" in the two cities.

Under new proposals, some patients would travel to Southampton, while others would go to Winchester, depending on their needs.

The idea has drawn criticism from politicians who are concerned that the RHCH could lose out.

George Hollingbery, Prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for Winchester, is against the move.

He argues that because there are more patients in Southampton, most of the surgery will be conducted there.

"There's a very real danger that Winchester will end up with a hospital that has a couple of specialities and a day care centre, and that's about it."

Mr Hollingbery raised fears in 2003 that health chiefs were looking to move some clinical services to Southampton.

"All I can say is 'I told you so'," he added.

Last month, Winchester MP Mark Oaten launched a petition to stave off any merger between the RHCH and Southampton General Hospital.

He stressed that he was not against some specialist services being based at one location, provided there were medical benefits.

"If it's for financial reasons and it would lead to Winchester becoming an annexe of Southampton General Hospital then we must oppose it," added Mr Oaten.

Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust is currently £14m in the red, while its counterpart in Southampton is facing a £17m deficit.

They hope to reduce their shortfalls by combining some surgical services, but they have stressed that money is not their only motive.

Spokesman for Southampton General Hospital, Peter Campion, said three reasons were behind the proposals, the first being cost.

"We all know, and have known for some time that the existing pattern of healthcare services in Hampshire is not affordable."

The second reason is to comply with European laws on the maximum amount of time that employees can work per week.

The legislation has forced a reduction in the number of hours that junior doctors spend on duty.

As a result, Mr Campion said it would be impossible to keep some separate departments open at Winchester and Southampton.

He added that the final reason was to improve medical care.

He explained that if surgeons carried out the same operation on a regular basis, then their skill improved.

Some clinical services were already being combined in one place, Mr Campion added.

Surgery on veins, urinary tracts and lower stomach problems will move from Winchester to Southampton. In return, patients seeking non-emergency stomach and intestine treatment will be sent to the RHCH.

Over the coming months health chiefs will examine whether other departments can follow suit.

Treatment for orthopaedic, breast, eye, and ear, nose and throat complaints could be on the agenda.

Mr Campion stressed that the majority of clinical services would continue to be provided at both hospitals.

"The bulk of patients will still go to where they have always gone."

He added that the accident and emergency department at the RHCH will continue to remain open 24-hours a day.