Rumours of the demise of Chase Community Hospital’s physiotherapy department proved unfounded.

They spread after a Lindford woman who had physiotherapy at the Chase on March 21 was told future appointments would be at Petersfield as the Chase department would be closing at the end of April.

But Nicky Creighton-Young, the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust’s director of operations for south-east Hampshire, said: “We have taken the difficult decision to temporarily pause physiotherapy appointments in the Whitehill & Bordon area from April 1 due to staffing challenges. Patients are able to access appointments at Petersfield Hospital – where the service has been transferred to – or via virtual appointments.

“We recognise this temporary change will be an inconvenience for some people and are very sorry about this.

“We have recruitment plans in place and hope to be able to provide physiotherapy appointments in the Whitehill & Bordon area again in the next few months.”