PLANS for a "world class" vascular surgery hub at Southampton General Hospital have moved a step closer.

Putting south Hampshire's vein and artery specialists in one place will help patients and prevent the "collapse" of Portsmouth's service, NHS chiefs told councillors.

But travel and finance concerns were raised at Hampshire County Council's health and adult social care committee yesterday.

Neither hospital is meeting standards and recruitment struggles have led to "completely unsustainable" hours, the meeting heard, with one surgeon working one in three nights on call.

The plans include a £2million new "hybrid theatre" at Southampton, allowing surgeons to perform open and closed operations on conditions including blocked blood vessels.

The number of surgeons based in the city would increase from seven to 10, including a new appointment.

Dominic Hardy, director of commissioning operations for NHS England (Wessex), said the long-delayed move would provide "world-class" service.

Mike Phillips, of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Southampton General, said: "Portsmouth's vascular service is close to collapse. There's one full time surgeon there who's working his bit off to maintain the service. We as a unit are propping them up.

"I think it's time you realise that something has to change."

The meeting heard rates of blood vessel disorders are falling but England has poor surgery results compared to other countries in Europe due to a lack of coordinated effort.

As reported by the Daily Echo, the plans have been discussed for years and caused particular controversy in Portsmouth.

Conservative councillor David Keast criticised "ridiculous" claims that patients at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham could transfer to Southampton in 30 minutes, adding that staff shortages were self-inflicted.

He added: "Over the past eight years millions of pounds worth of taxpayers money has been spent on this project. It's about time we got this right."

Independent councillor Jacqui England said she was glad hospital chiefs had stopped arguing over which city would host the centre.

The committee avoided triggering a public consultation but recommended the NHS issue a statement to reassure residents of south east Hampshire.