ASSURANCES were given this week by health provider Virgin Care that the relocation of beds to Farnham – forced by a £2.2m upgrade to Haslemere Community Hospital – will only be temporary.

Renewed calls have been made for Haslemere to become a major community hospital offering more health services following the extensive refurbishment.

Haslemere's League of Friends committee was informed by Virgin Care at a meeting on Monday that all in-patients, together with their nursing teams, would have to relocate to Farnham Community Hospital from the beginning of January until the end of April for their own safety.

The majority of services offered at Haslemere Community Hospital including the walk-in centre and all outpatient services are not be affected and will continue as normal.

For full story, see this week's Liphook Herald.