PEOPLE on the Isle of Wight voiced their fears over plans to scrap the Island's only casualty department.

The proposals, outlined in a review by health chiefs, would mean patients being treated for emergencies on the mainland.

As well as closing the accident and emergency department at St Mary's Hospital, Newport, other ideas include moving some operations and baby deliveries off the Island.

Concerned residents turned out at a public meeting in Newport to discuss the report, produced by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority.

It said the Solent should not be seen as a barrier.

Hospital bosses insisted no decisions had been taken on any future downgrading of services.

But Island MP Andrew Turner said: "For the strategic health authority to talk, as their document does, about the Solent not being a barrier is flying in the face of reality."

The document, called HealthFit, stated: "The issue of access in an emergency situation is particularly sharp for the residents of the Isle of Wight.

"However, the emerging view of the HealthFit event was that greater thought needs to be given to emergency access to the mainland."

Any changes would take place from April next year.

A spokesman for the Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said problems could be caused by weather conditions making it difficult to take patients to the mainland.

He added that there had been various instances of ferries and helicopters being cancelled in recent weeks.