TEST Valley Borough Council has agreed to voice its concerns over proposed changes to acute hospital services in and around Basingstoke and Winchester.
Cllr Sandra Gidley proposed the motion for the council to make representations to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board outlining the longer travel times, downgrading of the Winchester A&E department and the reduced birthing choices available.
The plans are for a new specialist acute hospital on the edge of Basingstoke, using more than £800m in government funding.
Under the plans, the RHCH would be refurbished and a 24/7 urgent treatment centre opened. The maternity unit at the hospital would also be downgraded to be mid-wife led.
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Option one is for a new hospital at the current site of Basingstoke hospital, in Aldermaston Road.
However, this option would cost £948m, compared to £807m for the ‘preferred’ option two to build a hospital at Junction 7 of the M3.
A third option has also been added to the list, which is identical to option two other than having nurse-led rehabilitation beds at the current Basingstoke hospital site. This is expected to cost £860m.
Speaking at the full council meeting on January 17, Cllr Gidley said: “The impact on Test Valley residents will mostly be a result of the proposed changes to the Royal Hampshire County hospital in Winchester.
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“The main concern is the downgrading of the accident and emergency unit to a 24/7, doctor-led urgent treatment centre and same day emergency care service. Trauma cases already go to either Basingstoke or Southampton because those are the centres of expertise.
“The board estimates that two thirds of the cases currently seen at Winchester will still be able to be treated there – but conveniently ignores the fact that a third of patients will be disadvantaged – several thousands of them.
“The consultation document admits that travel times will increase. It also admits that getting public transport to local hospitals is very difficult or almost impossible from many areas in Hampshire.
“The reality is that patients will be inconvenienced and the impact on Southampton hospitals, in a health service where the patient still has a certain amount of choice, has not been thought through. I would very much welcome the opportunity to work cross party to respond to the consultation.”
The council was in full support of the motion. Cllr Nick Adams-King said: “This is a very important issue. In the north of the borough, the proposals could impact the services offered by Andover Hospital. We need to reflect that in our response.”
Cllr David Drew said: “We need to get the message out to members of the public that they can consult on this.”
The motion was supported unanimously.
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