AMBITIOUS plans to build a new, state-of-the-art £150million critical treatment hospital for north and mid-Hampshire residents outside Basingstoke look set to be scrapped at a meeting later this week.

The hospital, which would have centralised Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) A&E and critical care services between Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester, has been deemed "not affordable" by the North Hampshire and the West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) which pays trusts including HHFT to provide health services.

The option to build the hospital on a greenfield site near Junction 7 of the M3 was examined as part of a review looking at how to improve community care services in north and mid-Hampshire.

The hospital would have treated the sickest and high-risk patients but the majority of patients would continue to be treated at hospitals in Basingstoke, Andover and Winchester.

Alex Whitfield, chief executive of HHFT, said: "We completely support the commissioners’ focus on improving the care that is available outside of hospital; this is great news for the people of Hampshire.

"We are naturally disappointed that the recommendation to the commissioners' meeting is not to consult with the public on a critical treatment hospital at this time. The joint work, completed this year, recognised that this proposal would improve quality and accessibility for our patients, but has concluded that it is not affordable with the current ambitious assumptions around spending less on hospital services.

"There will always be a need for some hospital based services for the seriously unwell, for emergency care, complex surgery, maternity care and children's services. These services are best provided in a facility that is accessible for everyone and is fit for future generations taking into account the planned increase in our local populations.

"In the meantime, our dedicated and compassionate staff will continue to focus on providing great care for our patients within our existing buildings. We are fully committed to continuing to work with our health and care partners in Hampshire to provide the best care we can."

The review looked at how community-based health services will be both strengthened and expanded, while ensuring patients continue to receive safe, high-quality services.

A hybrid planning application for a new critical treatment hospital, submitted by HHFT, on a 22-hectare greenfield site on the north side of the A30 near junction 7 of the M3 was approved by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) in October 2015.

In addition, an £18.5m cancer treatment centre, an energy centre, helipad and car parking was proposed at the site.

But before that in September 2015, both CCGs had already expressed doubt over the idea, citing financial reasons.

The CCGS are now looking at developing plans to improve care out of hospital, to manage demand on HHFT's hospital resources.

Dr Nicola Decker, chairman of North Hampshire CCG, said: "Our local population is growing, getting older and has changing health needs. This means a different sort of care in future to what has been provided in the past.

"The local NHS's vision is for more joined-up local health and social care services providing more personalised care outside of hospital. Our community and hospital health and social care workforce needs to be more proactive in the care we are offering our population.

"Working together we can prevent many of the crises that often occur in the emergency department, making these services available for people who really need them. This approach is already making a difference in neighbouring areas.”

Dr Nick Broughton, chief executive of Southern Health NHS Trust, said: “Most people prefer to be in their own homes rather than hospital, so we welcome the focus from our partners on increased community care and support. We know that earlier support and care at home can avoid the need for hospital visits, which is better for patients and eases the pressure on busy hospitals.

"We are already working alongside all the people involved in health and care in the area to achieve this so people get the right care, at the right time and place.”

A meeting will be held on Thursday, 30 November in Winchester to discuss the findings of the review.