SAVE Haslar campaigners have hit out at claims that patients in Fareham would lose out if the historic Gosport hospital is saved.

Health bosses admitted last week that health services in Fareham could suffer if campaigners win a reprieve for the 250-year-old building, which faces the axe under MoD plans.

Members of Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust (PCT) currently considering future healthcare services explained that taking the more expensive option of keeping Haslar open would mean extra space there would have to be used for Fareham services.

But Haslar taskforce spokesman and Gosport Councillor Peter Edgar believes the claims are masking real healthcare problems.

He said: "This community hospital consultation is not addressing the real issue. The worry for people right across south Hampshire is what on earth is going to happen if the new QA, when finally built, can't cope because of massive escalating demand and Haslar cannot be kept going?

"Everybody supports the idea of community hospitals for Gosport and Fareham, but we must use the Haslar site because we're going to need it for some years to come whether they like it or not.

Health bosses are locked in talks over new ways to meet the needs of a growing number of patients while losing some ageing facilities.

The choices have been whittled down to two - either two separate community hospitals at Coldeast in Sarisbury, near Fareham and at an extended Gosport War Memorial Hospital or open a larger community hospital building at Haslar, as well as developing more facilities in Fareham.

Cllr Edgar added: "I cannot accept that if the Haslar building is used that will affect the ability of the PCT to fund a community hospital in Fareham.

"Everybody knows that Fareham needs a community hospital facility. Haslar is likely to have more capacity than is needed initially in Gosport, but surely an organisation with

thousands of square metres of office space can fill two or three vacant rooms.

"I can't believe that is grounds for saying no to Haslar. We don't need another site we've got one already."

Leaflets have been delivered to thousands of households outlining the plans.

Four independently led public meetings will take place later this month and next before a final decision is taken.