I find that there are elements to Mr Brine's Letter from Westminster that I agree with (Chronicle, January 25).

The focus of the debate regarding the consultation on the proposals to Winchester hospital has been skewed by the loud voices surrounding the closure of the A&E. (As it is, currently, Winchester only has an ED anyway.)

This is helpful to the trust though, as it distracts people from the real issue, namely allowing it to turn Winchester hospital into, at best a 'cottage hospital'.

The current trust was originally Winchester and Eastleigh health before it was taken over by Basingstoke, which has always been given precedence over its southern counterparts. 

If you take the time to read the consultation questionnaire you will see that they are framed in a way that will find in favour of the trust.

So, yes Mr Brine, this is getting dragged into the 'gutter of misinformation'.

M Smith,
Christchurch Road,
Winchester 

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