A COUNCILLOR said an MP is sharing his concerns over the proposed closure of the Hyper-Acute Stroke Unit at Yeovil Hospital.

Councillor Adam Dance (South Petherton & Islemoor) said he is pleased to hear the West Dorset MP, Chris Loder, is also highlighting his “significant reservations” with the proposals.

Cllr Dance, who is also the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for Yeovil, said: "Following my request to the Secretary of State for Health to call in the decision made by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust to close the HASU at Yeovil and open a new unit at Dorchester (with significant funding from Somerset), I was pleased to hear the West Dorset MP is also highlighting his 'significant reservations' with these proposals.

"I have already pointed out the risks to the health of stroke patients in east Somerset and around Yeovil.

“This is reinforced by the MP in our adjacent constituency who says the decision will risk health outcomes for patients in West Dorset, especially those living in the north of the constituency.

“I would prefer that he was demanding, as I am, an answer to why relocate the HASU to Dorchester when we could just reinvest at Yeovil.

"I have yet to hear back from the Health Secretary but in the meantime, I am continuing to argue for a more effective solution to providing the urgent and time-critical treatment that many stroke patients need and deserve."