HEALTHCARE could buckle under “consumerist” demand on the NHS, voters heard at a general election question and answer session.

Demand for swift care, stoked by politicians’ promises, is stretching services including Chandler’s Ford’s struggling GP surgeries, Conservative candidate Steve Brine told a packed hustings.

About 250 people turned out on Wednesday night to hear from Winchester and Chandler’s Ford’s five prospective MPs: Mr Brine, Liberal Democrat Jackie Porter, UKIP’s Martin Lyon, Labour’s Mark Chaloner and Green candidate Michael Wilks.

Chandler’s Ford Methodist Church heard mostly friendly debate on housing, climate change, Westminster deal-making and how English MPs should be allowed to vote.

But on the NHS, Mr Brine said: “We have a consumerist society in this country and that consumerism has spread into the National Health Service.

“We are raising expectations so much around the National Health Service and our health professionals are buckling under the pressure of that expectation.”

Ms Porter, Mr Brine’s main rival in May 7’s vote, said that better working hours would boost recruitment, benefitting patients and staff.

Mr Lyon promised “hope and vision” to counter a “lack of scrutiny” around local housing decisions.

The high cost of housing was the most popular issue raised in submitted questions.

Eastleigh Borough Council’s failed Local Plan is a “disaster” which could open the door to unwanted development in Chandler’s Ford, Mr Chaloner said.