Keir Starmer recently spoke of a “radical idea” to bring healthcare into the community and keep diagnosis centres open 24/7.

Yet in the growing community of Whitehill & Bordon, a hospital which could easily fit this bill is underused and earmarked for disposal amid controversial plans to relocate services.

Perhaps the Labour leader or his team should take a look at The Chase Hospital given the campaign to retain and make use of the building in addition to a new health hub.

Councillor Andy Tree certainly wanted the government to have a look as he made a proposal to Hampshire County Council to get the Chase Hospital-Health Hub saga referred to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

But despite being backed by a loyal and determined group of six campaigners in Winchester, his request was disappointingly rejected by fellow members of the Health & Adult Social Care Select Committee on Tuesday.

He said: “Getting the best health services for Whitehill, Bordon and Lindford is a number one priority.

“I regret that none of the other councillors who represent other parts of Hampshire – be that Conservative, Labour or Liberal Democrat – were willing to support me and so my request was defeated and rejected.

“I appreciate the viewpoint that if we don’t support a health hub, it could mean we end up with nothing if Chase Hospital was to close anyway without a replacement.

“But I have been very cautious in my approach to this, and that’s to ensure we get the best health provision possible and to score no ‘own goals’.

“That’s why I wanted to ensure the whole matter is referred to the most senior level for a proper review and thorough response to the public on the best way forward.”

A letter written by the health hub applicants in June said the development earmarked for land next to The Shed has been “future proofed to a certain extent” to cope with an expected 4,000 increase in patients as the town grows over four years.

But the government’s decision to increase house-building targets for East Hampshire, coupled with a lack of assurance from the NHS Integrated Care board about the hub’s ability to accommodate higher numbers, influenced his decision to push for a referral to the Secretary of State.

He wanted the committee to side with his opinion the current proposals for The Chase and Health Hub are not in the best interests of the health service in Hampshire, especially when potential population increases in the Whitehill & Bordon area are taken into consideration.

Cllr Tree added: “Basically, we know with almost all certainty that more housing is coming as it’s a committed government policy so we must have the facilities and infrastructure for it.”

“East Hampshire District Council won’t even be the planning authority once abolished and a larger, more remote council will have power, as will a Mayor of Hampshire on strategy,” added the councillor in a quip about devolution and the shift of powers from Petersfield to a county hotseat.