DORSET County Council has backed the removal of some services from Blandford Community Hospital.
The health committee has endorsed changes due in July and designed to save £2.5million a year. Services are being pulled out of Blandford, Sherborne, Bridport and Portland Community Hospitals.
They are being centralised at Dorset County Hospital but there are fears over travel arrangements for patients.
Blandford patients would need to travel 18 miles to Dorchester.
The health committee voted in favour this month and chairman Ronald Coatsworth said: “These changes are entirely sensible if we are to make the best use of NHS resources.
“By doing away with unnecessary appointments we will save money, which can be used more appropriately elsewhere.”
The details of the changes are still being discussed, though Dorset County Hospital has given notice it will terminate its contacts with the community hospitals.
The Friends of Blandford Hospital is in negotiations with health bodies about what to do next.
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