HASLEMERE hospital will have new managers after Richard Branson's Virgin group signed a massive £500m contract which could guarantee the future of the hospital after years of uncertainty.

The Virgin Care contract signed this week will provide community health services in north west and south-west Surrey until 2017.

Public services trade union UNISON says despite fears over what it means for the future of the NHS, it is keen to now work with the private company to support staff and to ensure the quality of services are maintained.

For full story, see this week's Liphook Herald.