Health authorities in Hampshire have been trying to allay fears over the possible closure of accident and emergency services at a hospital on the Isle of Wight.

A recent report by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority into services at St Mary's Hospital raised the possibility of closing the accident and emergency department, as well as reducing maternity services.

On Monday, shadow health secretary Liam Fox toured the hospital, calling the proposed changes "an unprecedented act of health vandalism".

I cannot envisage the closure of accident and emergency services at St Mary's Peter Bingham, Health Authority Chairman

By the time of a public meeting on Monday night however, the closure of accident and emergency seemed to have been ruled out.

Peter Bingham, chairman of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Health Authority, said in an open letter to the people of the island that closure was not on the agenda.

He said: "I cannot envisage the closure of accident and emergency services at St Mary's.

"The bulk of accident and emergency services will always need to be provided from local facilities, because of the need for urgent access.

"Alongside this it is essential that we debate openly how best to meet changing emergency care needs - particularly services for the most serious accidents and the most complex emergency surgery."

He promised that the public would be fully consulted over any changes to the health service on the island.