Health services across north and mid Hampshire are set to undergo their biggest modernisation programme in 50 years and our local health trust want to hear from us.
Hampshire Together: Modernising our Hospitals and Health Services is a new programme that will involve all NHS and social care services across Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Winchester and the surrounding areas.
The centrepiece could be the construction of a brand new hospital – but the programme’s impact will reach far beyond, involving GPs, mental health, community care, social care and the wider voluntary sector, as well as acute hospital care.
The Trust say the central aim is to deliver a joined-up healthcare system that supports patients, their families and their carers to access the right care, in the right place, at the right time in order to keep them healthy.
Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP Steve Brine says; "This is clearly an ambitious exercise but it’s welcome if it is a genuine attempt to listen to my constituents on future health services.
“We had to work extremely hard last year to secure Hampshire Hospitals place in the Health Infrastructure Plan and I’ve had confirmation from ministers that no matter the final formulation of the plans, the Royal Hampshire County Hospital will receive significant investment as part of this project.
“The Trust know well my red lines around consultant led obstetric care in Winchester and I am very sure local people back me 100% in this view.”
The programme is being led by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of Clinical Commissioning Groups and West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group, in partnership with Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Andover War Memorial Hospital, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital and Royal Hampshire County Hospital, in Winchester.
Hampshire Hospitals was last year named as one of the trusts chosen to receive capital funding as part of the Department of Health and Social Care’s Health Infrastructure Plan (HIP) after extensive lobbying by Steve Brine.
Throughout June and July, these NHS organisations will be seeking the views of the public based on a listening document that explains the challenges currently faced, the opportunities that the programme presents and the factors that need to be considered when making what will be some difficult choices.
Pictured; Steve Brine speaking with Health Secretary Matt Hancock at the RHCH in December.
More information ...
The listening document can be found at www.hampshiretogether.nhs.uk
You can also find Hampshire Together on Twitter and Facebook
