The recent news that health services across north and mid Hampshire are set to undergo a major modernisation programme has been welcomed by Damian. The scheme, managed by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust, is part of the £2.8 billion investment announced in September 2019 by the Department for Health and Social Care for 40 new hospital projects.
The launch of the Hampshire Together programme - which will cover NHS and social care services across Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Winchester and the surrounding areas – is due to include the construction of a brand new hospital, but will also involve GPs, mental health, community care, social care and the wider voluntary sector, as well as acute hospital care.
The new hospital, location yet to be determined, is due for completion in the second half of this decade. But it will be just one element of a major overhaul of services provision, significant for residents in and around Alton and many in the Bordon area, and others who currently would go to Basingstoke or Winchester hospitals.
Damian said:
"I welcome this major investment. I'm also pleased to see the extensive community engagement that is already underway from Hampshire Hospitals Trust. Everyone now has the opportunity to help shape our future health services through this initial engagement period but also the formal consultation period that is due to take place in early 2021.
"Alongside the new acute hospital, I believe the role of local care will become increasingly important as we look to support more people closer to home. Our community hospitals are so important in that”
Part of the initial engagement includes the publication of a ‘listening document’ and local residents are encouraged to share their views through the online comment form. The documents can be found www.hampshiretogether.nhs.uk.
