Local people are being encouraged to have their say on proposals for how to invest between £700 million and £900 million in hospital services across the county, as the public consultation on possible options enters its closing stages.
The proposals would see a brand-new specialist acute hospital, including urgent and emergency care, such as for strokes, heart attacks, and life and limb threatening injuries, on the current Basingstoke hospital site or near Junction 7 of the M3.
They would also see significant investment in refurbishing the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, which would have a 24/7 doctor-led urgent treatment centre, a same day emergency care service, dedicated planned surgery centre, inpatient beds, and midwife led maternity services.
Since December 2023, the NHS in Hampshire has been consulting on how to best organise hospital services for the future, and there are now just under two weeks left until the consultation closes on 17 March.
Health leaders are urging people to have their say on the proposals, including the location of the new hospital.
Improved care and treatment
If taken forward, the proposals would see new urgent care centres, improved maternity and neonatal care, a new cancer treatment centre, transformed outpatient services, and a dedicated children’s department for the first time in this part of Hampshire.
The proposals also aim to reduce the number of planned operations postponed at short notice and improve specialist and emergency care by bringing healthcare teams onto the same site.
Last chance to get involved
Dr Lara Alloway, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our hospitals and the services and care that we provide.
“Since December, we have been talking with and listening to our patients, local people, communities, partners, and staff.
“By the time the consultation closes, we will have run more than 20 in person listening events, in different places and at different times and days, more than eight online events, as well as pop-up stands in more than 10 different locations, drop-in exhibitions, one-to-one telephone interviews, and focus groups with people across the area.
“The consultation will close on 17 March, and we’re keen to hear from as many people as possible, in whichever way is most convenient for them. This is your NHS – please make sure you have your say.”
A short video of Dr Lara Alloway talking about the consultation can be found here: Have your say on plans to invest up to £900m in hospitals in north and mid Hampshire
Patients, local people, and NHS staff can get involved in the consultation and have their say via an online questionnaire, by emailing hiowicb-hsi.mohhs@nhs.net, calling 0300 561 0905, or writing to Freepost HAMPSHIRE TOGETHER.
To find out more, visit www.hampshiretogether.nhs.uk.