HASLEMERE Hospital could once again be under threat of closure. Almost two years to the day when Haslemere Community Hospital won a hard fought stay of execution, the hospital's League of Friends believe that it may have to fight yet another battle to keep the town's hospital alive and well. Robert Knowles from the Friends told the Herald that there was still "uncertainty" over the decision made by the now defunct Guildford and Waverley Primary Care Trust (PCT). "The decision is being looked into by the Surrey PCT to check whether the previous decision meets 14 check points. "It was two years ago when the battle to save the hospital was won, but decisions have still not been implemented and a further review is taking place," he continued. Among the decisions made then was the closure of Milford Hospital rehabilitation unit and its relocation to Farnham Hospital. But Mr Knowles said: 'That has not yet taken place and there are concerns that the failure to implement that decision will put Haslemere Hospital in jeopardy again." The mandate he said sets out the objectives to test the outcome of the then consultation against the white paper 'Our Heath, Our Care, Our Say', with the Surrey PCT board once again looking at all services in line with the latest government targets and the new guidance for the National Stroke Strategy. "Haslemere Hospital is extremely busy and the thing that concerns me is that this review focuses on the need of services in the area and not necessarily the building or where they are going to be provided. I don't think the Surrey PCT appreciates the cross border work carried out between Hampshire and West Sussex." In the meantime, members of the Friends expect to receive a verbal report on the ongoing review of health provision in Guildford and Waverley, which has given rise to the uncertainty about the future of the hospital, at its annual meeting next week. Also on the agenda is a report on the serious parking problems at the hospital and its adjoining streets. League of Friends chairman Dr Nicky Lee said: "We welcome additional services at Haslemere, which saves local residents the journey to Guildford or further afield, but we are acutely aware of the serious parking problem at the Haslemere Hospital site, as outline in our annual newsletter. As a League of Friends we are keen to help with funding of additional parking facilities for the benefit of all patients."
