A PUBLIC meeting has been arranged next month to let Bordon residents learn more about the proposals to close the only ward at Chase Hospital.

The future remains uncertain for the 24 beds on the MacIlwain ward, which provides respite and elderly rehabilitation care, and which may close under cost-cutting measures.

Proposals are being jointly put forward by the North Hampshire Primary Care Trust (NHPCT) and North Hampshire Hospitals Trust (NHHT) as a performance- improvement and modernisation plan in a bid to save £3.615 million in two years in the north of the county.

Full details of the plans are expected to be released later this month but the Chase League of Friends believes that the proposals incorporate the closure of the ward.

As a result, it has organised a public meeting at the Forest Community Centre on November 2 at 10 am to which chief executive of the NHPCT, Gill Duncan, has been invited.

The League of Friends has also written letters to civic leaders, Prime Minister Tony Blair, health secretary Alan Milburn, and local MP James Arbuthnot in a bid to gain more support.

FriendsÕ chairman John Moody said that it was his hope that BordonÕs residents would follow suit and write letters expressing their concerns.

He said: ÒWe want people to write to the local council, their local MP, the Prime Minister, anybody who will listen, to register their view.

ÒPeople have been ringing me to offer their support but we really need them to write letters.

ÒIf people are unsure what to write, or to whom to write, I can give them a specimen letter and addresses.Ó

The friends group is fearful that the closure of the ward will signal the closure of the hospitalÕs canteen, which is open to the public, and the relocation of the hospitalÕs successful day care unit.

Mr Moody also told The Herald that, although the friends group would continue to raise money for the hospital, it would not purchase anything new until more information about the future of the hospital is known.

ÒWe donÕt really know what is going on, so we canÕt really buy anything at the moment.Ó

At a meeting of Whitehill Town CouncilÕs planning and amenities committee on Monday, councillors welcomed a three-month period of public consultation which will begin on Monday.

This will be marked by the publication of a consultation document containing details of the proposed closure scheme.

NHPTC chief executive Gill Duncan said the document will also contain the range of alternatives that would be provided to make sure Bordon residents are not left without vital services. She said: ÒWith any significant change in health services, the CHC can call for public consultation.

ÒThe reason for consultation doesnÕt just have to be large amounts of money involved. Small changes in the way we run things can result in large effects for local residents. At the public meetings any concerns raised by residents will be minuted and considered. People can also submit their views and any concerns by post.Ó