The Liberal Democrat candidate for Winchester has hit back at Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond who branded him as 'irresponsible' for calling for a new hospital to be built in the city.
The NHS is consulting on plans to spend £800-900 million on a new hospital, which will be built in Basingstoke.
Under the current proposals, the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester is set to be downgraded by closing its A&E unit and making the maternity unit midwife-led.
Earlier this month, Danny Chambers, the Lib Dem candidate for the city, said that the new NHS investment should see a hospital built at the Sir John Moore Barracks in Winchester.
READ MORE: MP accuses election rival of irresponsibility over new hospital
Ms Drummond then accused Mr Chambers of misleading local people as there is no way it can be built at the military base.
In response, Mr Chambers has insisted the Liberal Democrats full support the investment in NHS services.
He said: "Had Conservative MP Flick Drummond paid proper attention to my open letter she would know that I am supporting the building of a new hospital here in Winchester.
SEE MORE: Winchester Lib Dems oppose plans for new hospital at Basingstoke
"I am totally committed to helping the local NHS overcome their staffing and financial problems caused by her Tory Government, whilst maintaining the best possible services for patients in Winchester and Hampshire.
"My team and I spent the last three months speaking with experts, researching and working up our response to the public consultation - it's robust, it's evidence based, and we believe it would deliver better healthcare for people in Winchester and Hampshire as a whole.
"I am happy to meet with Mrs Drummond to talk through my proposal for a new hospital in Winchester. The future of the NHS is bigger than petty party politics, and gaining cross party support on this one issue would be hugely valuable."
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