THE future of Emsworth's healthcare provision has been dealt a blow after a new hospital was given the go-ahead in Havant.
The decision means Emsworth's Victoria Cottage Hospital in North Street will shut once the new Oak Park Community Hospital opens in 2011.
Emsworth councillor Brendan Gibb-Gray fears it will lead to poorer healthcare options in the town as all pati
ents will have to travel to Havant.
He said: "While everyone recognised a new hospital is obviously a good thing, the concern from Emsworth has always been there is a great deal of love for the old Victoria Cottage Hospital.
"The residents and I have never been convinced the new hospital is going to adequately replace the old one."
The £38m hospital was finally approved by Havant Borough Council's development management committee on February 5 with a vote of 11 to one in favour.
The new hospital in River Way will boast the most up-to-date medical facilities available, ranging from physiotherapy to blood testing.
"We are not getting a good deal," said Cllr Gibb-Gray.
"People are still very concerned about what is going to happen to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester.
"Nearly 50 per cent go to St Richard's or West Sussex maternity facilities, so there is that concern as well.
"It has all spilled out and a bit of anger has been unfairly shown towards Oak Park. Let's hope it really is a first-class community hospital.
"Emsworth is not going to get more facilities – we are stuck with what we have got. We have to hope we stay out of the clutches of the NHS."
Save the hospitalThe go-ahead of the Oak Park medical centre also has a knock-on effect in Emsworth.
A group of doctors at Emsworth Surgery want to keep the Victoria Cottage Hospital open, and are in the process of putting together a business plan for a future medical centre.
Dr Nick Woodruff said he would be meeting with the architects to discuss the plans in the near future.
He said: "The Primary Care Trust is very keen as far as we are aware – we just need to get back to it with a proper business plan.
"The cottage hospital has been there for a long time. We have been very lucky – we have Cllr Brendan Gibb-Gray, who is keen, as are the Friends of the hospital.
"Once we have come to a plan with the architects, we will discuss it with the public for consultation."
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