I would like to thank Philip Glassborow for his very well put together comment (Chronicle, Letters, August 8). Such a very precise sketch of what could happen and how ludicrous it is to close services at Winchester hospital, such as A&E. 

It is well known that I have put forward at least four times the reasons why we should not lose its services. I think it's truthful to say that, with all the consultation that has been done for and against, which has been a waste of money, it's obvious what the conclusion would be. 

Because obviously if you live in Basingstoke and surrounding areas you would say you would want a hospital. As the population expands in that area they're going to need it with the idea of a new town being considered. So you do not need a crystal ball to understand the necessity for that area and further on. 

What about here, Winchester, and all the places that we know that are close to Winchester Hospital and are expanding? Barton Farm is yet to be finished and I think that the army base is being considered for another thousand or more homes. 

This brings me to a point that is very serious. Because there is no way that all these thousands and thousands of people, young and old, can get to the new supposed site.  The law would say that for deaths that could be caused through no fault of the patient, it could be attributed to lack of transport and time distance. So where would we place the blame?

If we have unnecessary deaths really, if you could prove it you could take the hospital trust to court. The timing of the consultations is suspect, it's usually within working hours. How can you honestly say that out of 200 people that attend the consultation you have got your answers. 

Is that a true guidance to what the majority really want, which is thousands? 

Eileen Berry,
Priors Dean Road,
Harestock,
Winchester

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