ANDOVER’S MP has welcomed the announcement that Hampshire is to receive £800m for a new hospital.

It was announced in 2020 that Basingstoke would be given a new hospital as part of a £3.7 billion government funding package, but earlier this year plans were put into doubt because of fears over insufficient funding and rising costs.

On Thursday, May 25, health secretary Steve Barclay reaffirmed the Government's commitment to new hospitals across the country. 

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been awarded £800m to build a new hospital for mid and north Hampshire.

READ MORE: £800m awarded by government for new Basingstoke hospital

The news has been welcomed by Kit Malthouse, MP for North West Hampshire, who said the hospital will benefit Andover residents.

He said: “As many will know I have campaigned hard to secure a new hospital with better access and facilities for my constituents, so I am delighted at this news. Just a few months ago, the new GP Health Centre opened its doors at the War Memorial Hospital, and £6.5m for a new diagnostic hub was secured for our town. Now we have won hundreds of millions of pounds, allowing us to drive forward the new general hospital on Junction 7 of the M3.

“This new facility, along with the 40 new hospitals across England by 2030, will improve patient care and slash our waiting lists. We’re embracing modern design with the latest in technological advances, meaning that patients and staff will get the very best. The challenge now is the keep up the pace and get shovels in the ground as fast as possible.”

SEE ALSO: Hub delivers 2,000 health checks after opening just five months ago

The hospital trust previously said that the project “remains on course” to be delivered by 2030, but Basingstoke's MP Dame Maria Miller said that the hospital is now likely to be completed by 2032-33. 

The build will not just include a new hospital, but will bring together different aspects of the health and care systems, allowing even greater integration of primary care, mental health teams and social care teams across the town.   

However, there are concerns surrounding the preferred location of Junction 7 of the M3. 

Mr Barclay said in response to Steve Brine, Winchester's MP during the announcement in Parliament: "As he knows with the scheme in terms of north and mid Hampshire there’s issues around the new site, Junction 7 of the M3 where there is significant work around potential land acquisition, what upgrade of the motorway would need to be required, there is question in terms of the size of that hospital versus other services locally, those are the issues we are keen to get in discussion with the north and mid Hampshire trust on and that will be all part of the rolling programme we take forward."

SEE MORE: Construction of diagnostic centre at Andover hospital is underway

In a statement following the announcement, Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Maggie MacIsaac, chief executive of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Integrated Commissioning Board said: “Following the government’s announcement earlier today on plans and funding (Five major hospitals to be rebuilt as part of over £20 billion new hospital infrastructure investment - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)) for the national New Hospital Programme, we are delighted that a new hospital for Hampshire continues to be supported nationally.

“We welcome the continued commitment to, and vital investment in, a new hospital for our region, and what this means for patients in North and Mid Hampshire. A new hospital will be fantastic for our patients, who will benefit from modern hospital design making use of the latest technology, digital innovation, and sustainability to improve their experience. It will also be a great morale boost for our hard-working staff who deserve to work in a bright, modern environment that is fit-for-purpose and supports them to provide excellent care.

“It is important to recognise though, this is about more than new buildings. A new hospital for Hampshire is an opportunity for us to work locally, regionally, and nationally with our partners to truly transform the way NHS care is delivered, in and out of hospital. We know our new hospital will also bring other fantastic social and economic benefits to Hampshire.

“Working in partnership with colleagues at NHS England, the Department of Health and Social Care and the national New Hospital Programme, an enormous amount of work has already been done to plan for a new hospital. As our work continues, there will be plenty of opportunities for patients, carers, and our local communities to have their say and to contribute to the detail of our plans.”