TEST Valley council bosses are to ask for an assurance over the future of Romsey Hospital in their response to a draft government report on the shake-up to health care management in the region.

Their urgent request comes after they were asked to respond to a consultation document over the creation of a brand new PCT for Test Valley South and Eastleigh.

Civic chiefs also want Test Valley South to be recognised as an area with specific needs by any new Primary Care Trust (PCT), and to be involved in local decision making.

A response to the report is due to be finalised and approved during an executive meeting at the council chambers in Andover on Wednesday before a final decision on whether to introduce the new PCT is made by Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn.

The new PCT is due to come into being from April 1 2002. The current Primary Care Group of West & Test Southampton, which covers the southern part of Test Valley, is earmarked to be divided so that all of the city of Southampton can be within one PCT.

Councillor Alan Dowden, lay board member for West Southampton & Test Valley South Primary Care Group, said: "This document is great news for the 156,000 people who will come under the new Primary Care Trust. The new trust will be able to put up a convincing argument for more government cash and the case for building on the excellent work of Romsey Hospital and other health centres in the local area."

Under the plans for the new Test Valley South & Eastleigh PCT, x-ray and endoscopy services at Romsey Hospital will be enhanced, more outpatient clinics will be provided by GP specialists and allied health professionals, and there will be additional capacity for intermediate care, taking the pressure off acute hospital beds.