Following a recent visit by the Health Minister to Basingstoke Hospital, Damian has called for clarity on whether funding has been secured for the purchase of land potentially earmarked for a new specialist acute hospital in Hampshire. This comes despite the government's decision to delay construction of the hospital by several years. He has submitted a series of written ministerial questions (listed below) and will continue to press the government for confirmation of the funding allocated for purchasing the site near Junction 7 of the M3.
Question for the Department of Health and Social Care
Q: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how much (a) capital funding and (b) revenue funding has been allocated for the purchase of land near Junction 7 of the M3 for development of a new hospital for Basingstoke and North Hampshire. (Asked 14 May 2025)
A (from Karin Smyth - Heath Minister); The New Hospital Programme confirmed to the Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust on 7 May that it has included provision for the purchase of land for their scheme in this financial year’s capital budget. Revenue budget is not expected to be needed. The funding amount will be confirmed once the short form business case is approved as per the business case process set out in HM Treasury’s Green Book. (Answered 19 May)
Q: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 52225, whether there is a (a) budget cap, (b) indicative range and (c) best estimate of the money allocated in this financial year's capital budget for the purchase of land near Junction 7 of the M3. (asked 21 May)
A (from Karin Smyth - Health Minister): The New Hospital Programme (NHP) has confirmed the budget allocation for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s land purchase in this financial year. This does include a budget cap which is based on an estimate of what is expected to be required to complete the land acquisition. The actual funding amount will only be confirmed once the short form business case is approved as per the business case process set out in HM Treasury Green Book.
The trust is currently in the process of developing their short form business case in relation to the purchase of land near Junction 7 of the M3 with support from the NHP. (Answered 2 June)
Q: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to his Answer of 19 May 2025 to Question 52225 on Hospitals: Basingstoke, what is the timescale for the short form business case for the purchase of land near Junction 7 of the M3. (asked 21 May)
A (from Karin Smyth, Health Minister): The New Hospital Programme (NHP) has confirmed the budget allocation for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s land purchase in this financial year. This does include a budget cap which is based on an estimate of what is expected to be required to complete the land acquisition. The actual funding amount will only be confirmed once the short form business case is approved as per the business case process set out in HM Treasury Green Book.
The trust is currently in the process of developing their short form business case in relation to the purchase of land near Junction 7 of the M3 with support from the NHP. (Answered 2 June)
