THE decision to reorganise NHS services in Dorset will be referred to the Secretary of State for independent review.

Dorset County Council's health scrutiny committee voted to refer the Dorset CCG's clinical services review to the government at a meeting yesterday afternoon (17).

The news was met with cheers from members of the public who packed into County Hall in Dorchester for the meeting following lively protests outside the building.

Groups from Defend Dorset NHS, Save Portland Beds, Dorset Support Group for SEN Parents and Save Poole Hospital A&E all turned out to make their concerns heard over plans for a shake-up of health services in the county.

Six out of ten councillors voted against a motion which recommended not to refer the clinical services review to the Secretary of State, on the basis that travel times have not been properly assessed, and no alternative has been provided to the loss of community hospitals locally.

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

Chairman of the committee Cllr Bill Pipe called the decision "unfortunate," however Cllr Nick Ireland, who has challenged the CCG proposals several times over the last year, said: "I'm very happy, I have been voting for a referral since last November and my position hasn't changed.

"People in south and west Dorset would be inconvenienced, and this would be to their detriment."

Speaking to the Echo following the decision Tim Goodson, Dorset CCG chief officer, said: "We respect the decision of the health scrutiny committee to make a referral.

"We equally are content to provide whatever evidence the Secretary of State would require as part of any enquiry he may decide to undertake."