Plans to scrap A&E department met with concern
Response to proposals to discontinue accident and emergency services at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital
Eastleigh Borough Councillors have expressed concern over plans to scrap an accident and emergency department at a Hampshire hospital that is used by Borough residents.
A report to yesterday’s Cabinet noted proposals to discontinue accident and emergency services at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester and relocate them to a new facility near Basingstoke, or within the existing Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital. Both are more than 20 miles away from the northern parishes of Eastleigh Borough, which include Chandler’s Ford, Hiltingbury, Bishopstoke, Allbrook & North Boyatt, Boyatt Wood and Fair Oak & Horton Heath.
The motion, from Councillor Liz Jarvis, states that the proposals to discontinue A&E services at Winchester could have a considerable impact on residents living in the northern wards of Eastleigh Borough, as well as putting additional pressure on staff at Southampton General Hospital and reducing services.
Councillor Keith House, Leader of Eastleigh Borough Council said: “Residents in the north of Eastleigh Borough will be rightly concerned about any plans to remove this important health facility, which provides vital accident and emergency support. The proposals would mean that residents would potentially have to travel much further for treatment. My thanks to Councillor Jarvis for raising this issue.”
The Council has written to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation formally expressing its concerns.