An independent review is being called for to look at NHS service in Weymouth and Portland.

A group of councillors is asking the borough council to back their motion calling for the review.

It comes in the light of bed closures at Portland Hospital and concerns over maternity and emergency services for the area.

The motion, to be debated at the borough council meeting this Thursday, asks for the Dorset Health Scrutiny Committee to exercise its statutory duty to refer plans to reorganise NHS Health services locally for an Independent Review.

It has been put forward for debate by Cllr Paul Kimber backed by councillors Ray Nowak, Colin Huckle and Kate Wheller.

The group say that decisions have been taken on flawed information and a skewed way of accounting for local opinion on closures.

“W&PBC has not seen nor had referred to it any evidence that the proposals will save lives indeed the opposite is a possible outcome,” says the motion for debate.

“W&PBC is dismayed that the local opinion has been totally ignored and already the beds at Portland Hospital have been closed. We note that there was a qualification about the future of Portland Hospital, that it will be not closed...before consultation with local people .

“W&PBC formally requests that Dorset Health Scrutiny Committee should therefore refer these plans to the Secretary of State for Independent Review.