PROPOSALS to build a new hospital for Basingstoke and North Hampshire on Junction 7 of the M3 have split opinion - with 52 per cent of people saying they are in favour of the plans. The opening of the new hospital would see services at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital downgraded, with the closure of the A&E department. A consultation into a major shake-up of healthcare in Hampshire, including a new hospital estimated to cost between £700 and £900m, has been held by Hampshire Together.
More than 98,000 people interacted with the 14-week consultation, with 3,685 people through submitting questionnaire responses, while thousands of others contributed by telephone interviews, attending feedback events and posting on social media. On Wednesday, July 10, a report looking into the responses was published. Caroline Morison, chief strategy officer at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took the time to share their views during the consultation period.
“We are now continuing to work with our local partners as we move towards making a decision regarding this multi-million-pound programme which looks to improve local health provision for so many people in Hampshire.” As part of the consultation, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight put forward three proposed options which residents, NHS staff and stakeholders were encouraged to give their views on. Under the plans, Basingstoke’s emergency department and maternity ser.