HASLEMERE could be holding its breath this week after fears that Haslemere Hospital is once again in the firing line for cuts to its community beds.

The latest threat could affect the neuro-rehabilitation beds in the hospital's Godwin Unit and the medical beds and intermediate beds on Elizabeth Ward.

Haslemere Community Hospital has a long history of threats of closure - the latest when it was saved following a long, hard fight to retain its 30 beds in 2000.

But it came with a warning that there would be no reduction in community beds - until 2004.

It was hoped by this year that 40 per cent of intermediate care would be undertaken in the home and the remaining 60 per cent of people needing intermediate care relying on beds outside the home environment.

The latest fears come after a warning from the parliamentary spokesman for South West Surrey Liberal Democrats, Simon Cordon, that any decision about the future of Milford Hospital, which is also under threat of closure, following next week's Primary Care Trust (PCT) meeting "could be worse than expected".

And a decision on Haslemere Hospital beds could come as early as the end of this week with the news that the Guildford and Waverley PCT programme board was due to meet yesterday (Thursday), ahead of next week's public meeting at Farnham Maltings.

The new programme board, headed by the chairman of the PCT board, Chris Grimes, was set up to oversee the development of clinical services at community hospitals and local care centres.

It was expected to make a progress report this month.

"Milford Hospital is certainly in the PCT's sights but I believe they will also look to remove GP respite and intermediate-care beds from Haslemere Hospital and Cranleigh Village Hospital," said Mr Cordon.

"Their logic will be that we need local health centres, not hospitals and that respite-care beds can be bought from within the private nursing home sector, ignoring the fact that we don't have enough nursing homes beds anyway."

Mr Cordon also believes that there could be some positive proposals in the scheme, including the extension of hours at Haslemere minor surgery department with the possibility of minor surgery.

"This would be welcome but would not be compensation for the loss of beds and of Milford Hospital altogether," he said.

"It is important that communities unite and that hospital is not set against hospital.

"The PCT must not be allowed to divide and rule.

"Four years ago we kept all four local hospitals open, We must do the same this time."

What could be a last-ditch attempt to save Milford Hospital from closure takes place tomorrow (Saturday).

A "March for Milford Hospital" sets off along Godalming High Street, just four days before the all- important decision making Primary Care Trust board is expected to once again discuss the future of the hospital - a local lifeline in the care and rehabilitation of many, especially elderly people.

That meeting, warned the South West Surrey Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate, Jeremy Hunt, could pave the way for an announcement of a "consultation leading to Milford's closure".

Mr Hunt is calling on as many people as possible to turn up at the non-party political protest march which sets off from the Pepperpot at 11 am.

The day before, 1,000 balloons are due to be released in Godalming, as part of the campaign for the retention of the hospital which serves patients from the Haslemere area and its surrounding villages.

The midday launch to spread the message about the hospital is also expected to featured on local TV.

On Monday, September 13, a service of celebration for the hospital takes place in the Godalming parish church of St Peter and St Paul at 7-30 pm.

Efforts to safeguard the future of Milford Hospital come after fears that the hospital could close to help plug a £22.5m hole in PCT finances before the end of the financial year.

And Mr Cordon concluded: "Despite the fear of bad news from Guildford and Waverley PCT, this weekend should be a celebration of the work of Milford Hospital."

He said: "It is the most potent reason for it staying open and providing more services."

A spokesman for the PCT said on Wednesday, the day before the programme board met: "Any recommendations from that meeting will then be taken to the PCT's meeting of the board in public next week".

The public meeting takes place on Thursday September 16 at 5-30 pm.