A campaign to save The Chase Hospital from closure has been given a shot in the arm by Whitehill & Bordon’s MP.

Gregory Stafford MP has told Whitehill Town Council in a letter that he would prefer The Chase being used for “additional” health needs instead of housing.

The future of The Chase remains a hot topic in W&B with permission being recently granted for a new health hub in the town centre that will centralise services.

But campaigners feel the current underused hospital can still have a place in town and should not be demolished with the Conservative seeming to share that view.

He wrote: “I am pleased to see the Health Hub was granted permission and I believe that as a community we should certainly recognise the positive impact a modern and accessible provision would have for W&B.

“However, even with this brand-new facility, there are further improvements in healthcare provision that I would like to see in our area, including access to NHS dentistry, emergency care, social care, and elderly and rehabilitation services.

“Rather than turning the hospital into housing, I would prefer to see the site used for some or all of these additional needs.”

He adds: “I will be advocating for a solution that maintains current services at the Chase until the Health Hub is fully operational.”

Mr Stafford acknowledges in his letter that while his view is aspirational, the NHS Integrated Care Board (ICB) has designated the health hub as the town’s primary care facility.

He also adds that while he would like to see both the Health Hub and Chase used for health and social care purposes, the final decision rests with the ICB and NHS England.

Members of the town council’s Executive Committee are due to review a proposed response to Mr Stafford’s letter when they meet tonight (Thursday, November 7).