Newly re-elected county councillor Andy Tree has reiterated his call for Chase Community Hospital to remain open, with no further cuts to services unless and until a better healthcare facility is delivered.

Cllr Tree said he was “extremely disappointed” by reductions in services at the hospital, including the loss of beds and X-ray facilities, and questioned whether a replacement facility would ever be delivered as the town’s population continues to grow because of ongoing development.

Cllr Tree, who leads the Whitehill & Bordon Community Party, said his position was focused on protecting and improving local healthcare provision.

He said: “Chase Community Hospital must remain open, with no further reduction of services, until such time, if ever, a better facility can be provided within Whitehill & Bordon.

“It is also my position that the NHS ICB should be investing in services provided locally within Whitehill & Bordon, especially given funding is allocated per resident. I want to see money coming into Whitehill & Bordon for healthcare provision and would like to see an urgent treatment centre or minor injuries unit in the town.”

Cllr Tree criticised the long-running uncertainty surrounding proposals for a new Health Hub in the town centre.

He said: “The endless unresolved saga of whether Chase Community Hospital will be replaced with a Health Hub is ridiculous and unacceptable.”

The debate dates back to 2013, when NHS South East Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group published a charter pledging its commitment to the future of Chase Community Hospital.

At the time, the organisation’s chair described the charter as “a pledge of our commitment to ensure Chase has a long-term and sustainable future providing services that local people say they want and need”, including a commitment to “keep the hospital open”.

The former NHS Clinical Commissioning Group was later replaced by NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board.

Discussions have since taken place over proposals for a new Health Hub facility in the town centre development near Whitehill & Bordon Leisure Centre, around 0.7 miles from Chase Community Hospital.

Cllr Tree said the NHS ICB had previously committed to Whitehill Town Council and Hampshire County Council’s Health & Adult Social Care Select Committee that services currently provided at Chase Community Hospital and Forest Surgery would transfer to any future Health Hub without reductions.

He also revealed he formally proposed at Hampshire County Council’s Health & Adult Social Care Select Committee in January 2025 that the Health Secretary should review the future of Chase Community Hospital and the proposed Health Hub plans.

However, he said no councillors from other national parties supported the motion.

Cllr Tree added that NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB had agreed to attend a future town council meeting open to the public once detailed plans were available.

He said: “This needs to happen as soon as possible. Our community cannot be left hanging. It’s just not acceptable.”

*The Bordon Herald wishes to correct a previous report which stated that Cllr Tree is fighting for a “new hospital”. Cllr Tree said he has always supported Chase Hospital and would only support a replacement facility if it provided better services for residents.