A THREATENED Hampshire hospital has been given a five- year stay of execution.

A crunch meeting between government defence ministers, county health chiefs and campaigners battling to save Gosport's Royal Hospital Haslar agreed services at the facility can remain open for a further five years.

The meeting - the first time the major parties had spoken face to face - was held behind closed doors at Gosport Town Hall last night. Representatives from Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority, MoD ministers and the task-force set up to save the hospital all met around the table.

The MoD announced last year that it planned to close Haslar, prompting a campaign backed by the Daily Echo from people who feared lives would be placed in jeopardy by the loss of an accident and emergency facility on the Gosport peninsula.

Taskforce leader Peter Edgar said he was encouraged by the stance taken by Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority.

"The exchange of views was extremely helpful. Guarantees were given that, for the next five years, the Royal Hospital Haslar would remain open, although the exact pattern of health services provided there will vary.

"Members of the task force were encouraged to hear that, as one of the options, the health authority is looking at the possible future use of part of the Haslar site.

"Agreement was reached for a further meeting in September to share progress and explore together the options for accident and emergency services in the light of responses to the health authority's discussion document.

"It's encouraging that the problem of self-destruction at Haslar is being addressed and that health care services will be maintained."

Today 40,000 homes in the Gosport area are being targeted with a task-force leaflet drop, urging people's continued support of the campaign.

On Monday, taskforce members, GPs and consultants are travelling up to London to further plead their cause before a select committee at the House of Commons.

Gosport MP Peter Viggers said: "The big issue, of course, is whether Haslar is to remain open as a significant hospital, with its own consultants and accident and emergency department.

"On that point we need to change the decision that was made in December and, so far, we have no indication that the government is contemplating a change of mind.

"I'm pinning my hopes on a meeting on Monday, where representatives of the Haslar Task force will give evidence to the defence select committee. I'm hoping they will take a strong line on Haslar, urging its retention, and that the government will accept it."

Penny Humphries, chief executive of Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority, who was present at the meeting, was not available for comment.

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