ONE of the services at a Hampshire hospital has been outsourced to private companies after NHS bosses pulled the plug.

Patients suffering from hearing loss will be sent to High Street branches of Specsavers and Scrivens instead of being treated at Lymington New Forest Hospital.

It follows a decision by health chiefs in Southampton to stop providing an audiology service at the hospital.

A new dermatology service in the Lymington area has also been awarded to the private sector in move that has angered unions.

Tony Jones, Unison’s regional head of health, said: “In hospitals across the country private firms are being awarded lucrative contracts, despite there being no evidence that this enhances the patient experience.

“When contracts fail, as they sometimes do, it’s usually the NHS and patients that end up paying the price.”

Changes at the hospital have also come under fire from some of the patients.

One woman in her eighties said: “The girls in the audiology department are very well trained and provide excellent care – they are professionals and their expertise is unbounded.

“We who rely on this first-class service feel let down and treated like second-class people.”

Patients will now be sent to Scrivens and Specsavers, who treat people suffering from hearing loss as well as poor eyesight.

Last night the NHS West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group defended the changes.

A spokesman said the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust had scrapped the audiology service it provided for patients in the Lymington area.

“This provides us with an opportunity to ensure this service will be available at more convenience for people in their community,” he said.

“Specsavers and Scrivens are among a number of locally qualified providers, with fully trained audiologists and the full range of equipment required to set, assess and treat adult age-related hearing loss.”

The spokesman confirmed that the new dermatology service would be provided by About Health.

He added: “The new service will shorten waiting times for non-urgent appointments and reduce travel for most patients.”

The changes were defended by Desmond Swayne, Tory MP for New Forest West.

He said: “I can see immediate advantages in terms of the convenience of going to a High Street rather than a hospital.

“I am all for making NHS services more easily accessible. If there are disadvantages or other opinions I am happy to listen.”

A University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust spokesman was unavailable for comment.