NHS Borders has confirmed that the community hospitals in Kelso and Duns will remain open until the end of March 2025 following a campaign by John Lamont which gained 4,000 signatures.
Mr Lamont said he was grateful for local support for his campaign to save the community hospitals across the Borders and he was focused on ensuring they remained open indefinitely.
A message from NHS Borders on Friday said “ongoing medical cover for Kelso and the Knoll Community Hospitals has been secured to the end of March 2025.”
However, the statement also confirmed the review of services at community hospitals was ongoing. It stated: “The wider review of services provided from our four community hospitals to ensure they are fit for the future is under way with involvement from relevant stakeholders.”
Scottish Conservative candidate for the Borders, John Lamont, said: "Thank you to everyone who joined my campaign to save the community hospitals. Your support has helped to ensure they remain open.
"But these hospitals must remain open long into the future, not just for the next year.
"I will continue to campaign relentlessly to protect these vital local health services.
"If re-elected as your local MP, I will make it my mission to push the SNP Government and NHS Borders to keep these hospitals open."
Scottish Borders MSP, Rachael Hamilton, said: "This is a welcome development but there is still a review taking place on services at the community hospitals.
"Borders residents need these local health services to remain open and I am committed to ensuring that happens.
"It's essential that the SNP Government and NHS Borders recognise how valuable these facilities are and provide funding assurances to keep the hospitals open indefinitely."