Basingstoke's MP has welcomed the land purchase for the new hospital.
Luke Murphy, MP for Basingstoke, has welcomed the land acquisition by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Trust for a new facility to the south of Basingstoke.
The project is supported by funds from the government’s New Hospitals Programme.
Mr Murphy has been working with the NHS Trust, the Integrated Care Board (ICB), local authorities, and the community to advance the project.
Mr Murphy said: "I welcome the purchase of the land for a new hospital in Basingstoke. What we are now seeing is the practical groundwork being put in place so that a new hospital for Basingstoke can actually become a reality.
"Securing this land keeps an important option open for the future and protects it for our community. After 14 years of Tory austerity, Labour is investing in the future of the health service in our area. For years, the Conservatives promised a new hospital for our community but the reality was delay after delay, no clear plan, or money to deliver it.
"I will continue working closely with ministers, the NHS and local partners to push this project forward and press for the fastest possible delivery. But I will also continue to work as I have been doing to press for improvement in terms of access to and care from our GPs and reducing waiting times at both accident and emergency, and for elective care at the hospital."
He said that while he would like to see faster progress and this update represents a welcome step forward.
Read more
-
NHS Trust buys land in Basingstoke for potential new hospital
-
Huge shake-up of policing announced to tackle crime in Basingstoke
-
Booster of £24m earmarked for Hampshire bus services for cheaper fares and new routes
The MP said that when Labour came to office, the New Hospitals Programme was found to have no credible delivery plan or long-term funding in place.
He said the government has since begun putting the programme on a more realistic footing, including supporting practical steps such as this land purchase and investing in Basingstoke’s health infrastructure through surveying existing buildings.
Mr Murphy said he will continue to press for improvements across the wider healthcare system, including better GP access.
He said he is pushing for more GP provision in areas such as Chineham and Manydown where the local population is growing.
Share