Local MP, Maria Miller, met accident and emergency medical staff to see the work that's been done to reconfigure A&E services at Basingstoke Hospital to accommodate more patients arriving by ambulance.
Maria said: “Our Hospital continues to think of new and different ways to repurpose its 1970s buildings to meet the need of a hugely expanded population in north and mid Hampshire. The latest changes in the Accident and Emergency Department mean that more of the sickest patients, those arriving by ambulance, can receive the help they need swiftly. The changes will also help keep to a minimum any delays to the ambulance service admitting new patients.
"The innovative thinking by our Hospital clinicians and administration is helping ensure Hampshire Hospital Trust does not see queues of ambulances waiting to admit patients which are common in some parts of the country."
During Maria's visit she also met Chief Executive Alex Whitfield for an update on the hospital’s recently published ‘Seven Year Strategy’ document, current appointment waiting times, and preparations for winter, which is always a challenging time for the NHS.
Maria commented: “I was also reassured to hear that Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) is ready to move forward to the next round of NHS public consultation on its plans for a new hospital for our community. The new hospital is a crucial component to ensure the NHS can meet the current and future needs of the communities the Trust serves. Our much expanded and increasingly aging population, means the current 1970s buildings are in need of a complete rethink. HHFT have been planning a replacement Hospital for much of the past two decades and are keen to get on with this project for all North and mid Hampshire.”
