THERE are no plans to close Bordon's Chase Com- munity Hospital or its GP beds, councillors were reassured by Hampshire Prim-ary Care Trust on Monday. The meeting was organised by town councillor Adam Carew, who met with other local councillors, the hospital's League of Friends, patient representatives and representatives from the Hampshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) to discuss a number of concerns, including rumours about clinics and GP beds closing; the use of facilities and staffing. Local councillors were reassured by the PCT that there were no plans to close the hospital and that GP beds will remain open. They were also assured that rumours about the hospital being used as a "holding station" for people discharged from larger hospitals were completely untrue. Anne Kelly, area director of care services for the PCT, also listened to concerns that facilities and equipment were under utilised and that staffing levels were low. Mrs Kelly said: "We agree that the hospital is not being used to its full potential. We want to make the best possible use of the hospital's facilities. "It is true that some consultant-led clinics may be more appropriately provided at larger hospitals, but there are many more services that could be provided locally, such as leg ulcer clinics, diabetes clinics, blood transfusions and intravenous antibiotics." New arrangements which give local GPs more influence over the services that are commissioned for their communities were also discussed. Dr Barbara Rushton, vice chairman of the local GP group, said doctors were keen to develop new services at the hospital which could be provided by a range of professionals, such as GPs, physiotherapists, specialist nurses and others. Mrs Kelly added: "We also gave an undertaking at this morning's meeting that we will review staffing and, as a mater of urgency, we'll look into the issue regarding the pain consultant." Local councillors have also been keen to explore the possibility of a minor injuries unit or A&E at the hospital. Mr Carew said: "We have been told that the hospital does not cover a large enough population for a full A&E unit, but we are encouraged by the PCT's commitment to investigate the viability of a minor injuries unit at the hospital to serve our growing population." All parties agreed they would meet regularly to take forward discussions about the hospital and a detailed workshop - with local stakeholders, GPs, staff and patient representatives - will be held in June to agree priorities. Mr Carew added: "I was encouraged by today's meeting and believe we now have an exciting opportunity to work closely with the PCT to shape the future of this much-needed local facility. Everyone agreed that we want to see real results and we will be making sure that the PCT delivers these results." It had been feared that consultants from the North Hampshire Hospital in Basing-stoke would no longer visit patients in Bordon. Earlier this year, members of the Whitehill and Bordon Town Partnership were told by sources close to the hospital that consultants were to stop travelling the hospital and patients would have to travel to Basingstoke instead.