THREATS to axe any part of The Royal Surrey County Hospital will be a fourfold blow for Grayshott, according to the village's councillor. Ferris Cowper, who is the Grayshott ward councillor for East Hampshire District Council, has put forward a motion opposing any closure of the hospital. And he says that, while everyone in the area will be massively hit by plans to redirect patients to the Frimley Park A and E, Grayshott residents could face several repercussions if the proposals are given the go-ahead - claiming: "We are on a precipice." As well as increased journey times to the hospital - which could have life-threatening consequences - outpatients would face an almost impossible trip by public transport, the village's surgery would continue to overflow and postnatal care would be hit hard, he claimed. Mr Cowper said: "I am not saying we are worse off than people in Haslemere or places like that, but the fringe areas are affected by the fact that the primary care trust boundaries and the local government boundaries are not same. "An example is that, when Grayshott post- natal clinic was axed, I had to phone three PCTs before working out who was responsible. None of them knew because of our location. "So because of our location, any cuts could have a number of effects on the people living here. "Journey times could double, and all this will do is, at best put people's general health and well-being at risk, and at worst cause a loss of life. "The second part of the problem facing us is people going to Frimley as an outpatient. Many will have to use public transport, and I don't think that journey is possible inside daylight hours. "So the move could have an impact on people's safety and security as well as health." Another problem highlighted by Mr Cowper is the loss of Grayshott's post-natal clinic, coupled with uncertainty over the future of Haslemere Hospital. He explained: "Post-natal care is now sent to Haslemere Hospital, but that has been threatened with closure more times than I can remember. "So if that goes as well, I can't even think where new mothers would be sent. We are on a precipice." Mr Cowper also said he believed any cuts would increase the problem of overcrowding currently suffered at Grayshott's surgery. The surgery is "full to bursting" and, with new developments being built but little money coming in to boost local services, Mr Cowper said he felt this problem would get worse if Frimley is the alternative. The motion, which is due to be considered at next Wednesday night's full council meeting, reiterates Mr Cowper's fears and urges the chairman of the council to write to the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, to highlight his concerns. The agenda claims the motion was prompted by a spate of recent public demonstrations, including one in Grayshott itself when a quarter-of-a-mile queue of placard-waving residents made clear their feelings on the potential closure of The Royal Surrey. Fears over the proposed closure were raised several months ago, but no decision will be made by Surrey PCT until later this year. At the moment, the closure of The Royal Surrey County Hospital is just one proposal. St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey is also under threat.
