PATIENTS in the Petersfield area may be offered treatment abroad under a new scheme piloted by the Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and South East Hampshire Health Authority.

The authority, which covers people in Petersfield, is about to explore the opportunities for patients to be offered their planned operations in Europe or locally by a European surgical team.

Chief executive of the health authority Penny Humphries says the scheme could improve waiting times for elective surgery.

ÒThe health authority will take steps to ensure that the quality of health care is the highest possible and that patients are fully supported before and after treatment, and provided with any interpretation services which may be needed.Ó

Project manager for the health authority Lin Kennett says staff will be contacting other countries to find out what services can be provided.

She said: ÒWe will in the next few weeks be discussing with providers of health care in France and Germany what they are able to offer.Ó

The project will be co-ordinated between the pilot sites in the south east of England and the health authority will be exploring both options over the next few weeks.