WINCHESTER MP Danny Chambers challenged the Prime Minister about the planned removal of consultant-led maternity services and the A&E unit at Winchester hospital.

Dr Chambers raised the issue at Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons today, Wednesday October 16.

Under plans proposed under the last Conservative government the services would leave the Royal Hampshire County Hospital as part of the planned new hospital near the M3 south of Basingstoke.

The issue has been hugely controversial with thousands of people supporting a petition against the plan.

Dr Chambers asked the PM Sir Keir Starmer to reassure constituents that the services remain at the RHCH and that a backlog of maintenance at the hospital is cleared.

The PM thanked him for raising the issue and said: "We are committed that all woman and babies receive safe, compassionate and personalised care.

"The reconfigeration of services is a matter for integrated care boards. It is important that decisions are made locally and tailored to local interests but all changes should be based on evidence, clinically-led and involve engagement with patients to ensure they deliver the best outcomes. It is a very important issue."