A NEW Forest mayor has joined the area's MPs in condemning Hampshire Primary Care Trust for refusing to admit in-patients to Fordingbridge Hospital.

The refusal to admit new patients to the hospital's Ford Ward came last Friday when the PCT suspended a member of staff over allegations surrounding "quality of care".

New Forest West MP Desmond Swayne and his New Forest East compatriot Julian Lewis say they fear the PCT is trying to close the hospital by devious means.

"The allegations are against individuals. They have yet to be investigated let alone proved." said Mr Swayne.

Now Fordingbridge mayor Cllr Alan Lewendon, whose wife is a nurse at the hospital, has written to trust chief executive Gareth Cruddace. In it he says he is extremely concerned about the actions taken by the PCT.

"I, and I feel sure, most of the inhabitants of Fordingbridge and its surrounding villages have a strong suspicion that this is an attempt by your PCT to close Fordingbridge Hospital (and more specifically Ford Ward) by stealth.

"Ford Ward is an asset to this area of Hampshire.

"With a large pensionable, and increasingly ageing population... we have a desperate need for the type of care which Ford Ward provides.

"Accessibility to Salisbury Hospital is difficult for the elderly with only two direct buses a day and your new flagship hospital at Lymington may just as well be on another planet with no direct services from Fordingbridge.

"We need Ford Ward. Please may I have your personal assurance that it will not close. I cannot envisage any circumstances under which it would be in the interests of the town to see Ford Ward closed."

Mr Cruddace has said: "We strongly refute any claims that the actions we have taken are an attempt to close Fordingbridge Hospital by the back door. These actions have been taken entirely with patients's interests at heart.

"Fordingbridge remains an active hospital and will continue to care for patients."

Mr Swayne said people must be vigilant, "rise to the challenge" and work against closure.