The public consultation, which was launched by the NHS in Hampshire in December 2023, will have run for 14 weeks by the time it closes on 17 March 2024.

During that time, patients, local people, and NHS staff have had the chance to have their say on proposals which include building a new specialist acute hospital in Basingstoke or near Junction 7 of the M3, and significant investment in refurbishing Winchester hospital. 

Dr Lara Alloway, Chief Medical Officer at NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board, said: “It is only by listening to our patients, carers, staff, local people, and our partners, that we can make our proposals as good as they can possibly be. We are incredibly grateful to and thank everyone who has got involved and shared their views as part of the consultation. 

“Over the last 14 weeks, we have held more than 20 in person public listening events and more than eight online, as well as many face to face meetings with community groups that we have been invited to attend. We have also organised pop-up stands in more than 10 different locations, held drop-in exhibitions, had one-to-one telephone interviews with people, and held focus groups with people across the area.

“In order to ensure we hear a wide range of perspectives, we have also actively engaged local schools, community and faith groups, and charities, including for those with mental health needs, disabilities, those who are LGBTQ+, people experiencing homelessness or seeking asylum, young people, and those who are pregnant.

“An independent research company will now collate and analyse all the responses we have received, including what we heard at our events, focus groups and in telephone surveys, the results of the consultation questionnaire, and feedback we received via other methods, including in writing, or by telephone.

“They will then develop a consultation report, which will provide a comprehensive picture of the views of those who have responded to the consultation proposals.”

The consultation report is due to be published later in the year before a ‘decision making business case’ is developed, which will set out how the NHS has further refined the proposals. It will also describe how the local NHS has responded to the views it has heard in the consultation. A decision on how to proceed is also expected later in the year.

Dr Alloway added: “We are committed to continuing to listen to patients, carers, staff, local people, stakeholders, and local communities as proposals are further developed and refined.

“Together, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest up to £900 million in improving hospitals and the quality and sustainability of hospital services for the future.”

A video of Caroline Morison, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at the NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board talking about the consultation can be found here.

To find out more about the proposals, and keep up-to-date with the latest news, visit www.hampshiretogether.nhs.uk