WINCHESTER and Chandler’s Ford MP is set to host a meeting giving residents to chance to learn more about possible changes to hospital services.

Steve Brine will host another meeting called Ask the NHS on Saturday, September 20, focusing on obstetrics and maternity care.

Plans for a new acute hospital, covering Winchester, Andover and Basingstoke, means these services at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital could be affected.

Mr Brine held a similar meeting in March, attended by around 150 people, which saw Trust chief executive, Mary Edwards, and senior clinicians outline the plans which could go out to public consultation before the end of this year.

The meeting in September will also feature Dr Simon Struthers from the RHCH neonatal unit, Winchester-based obstetrician Michael Heard and head of midwifery, Caroline Brunt.

Steve Brine says; “I was pleased with the March meeting but we didn’t have too many young mums and dads there which was maybe no surprise on a Thursday evening. Consequently, we didn’t spend as much time discussing obstetrics and maternity as I would have liked. This session is therefore deliberately on a weekend and I especially want constituents who are at my age and stage in life, with young kids, to come along.

“As the local MP, I think it is my responsibility to see the Trust plans get the fullest hearing as I want to ensure there is as much understanding as possible among residents. I am determined we will do that with a sensible, evidence-based, approach; not one that misleads my constituents, deliberately or otherwise. As a young parent of two myself, both actually born at the RHCH in recent years, I am clear our NHS deserves nothing less.”

To find out more visit stevebrine.com/asktheseries or call 01962 791110.