CONGRATULATIONS to The Gazette on launching its campaign/petition to get the Government to commit to building a new hospital in Basingstoke. This is something that each and every one of us needs to support and make some noise about.
Head of News Emily Roberts wrote an excellent campaign/petition launch column which summed up the situation perfectly – please do read it if you haven’t done so already.
READ MORE: Time to put political views aside and unite in fight for new Basingstoke hospital
Emily said: “For five years, Basingstoke has been promised a desperately-needed new hospital. Now we are calling for the government to honour these promises and commit to urgently building a new hospital for Basingstoke with a clear timeline and funding for its delivery.
“Our hard-working NHS staff are working in crumbling buildings that are no longer fit for purpose, and millions of pounds are being wasted on maintenance every year. Hospital staff and residents who live in Basingstoke deserve better.”
The health and well-being benefits of getting a new hospital are obvious. However, securing a new hospital is not just about improving local people’s health and well-being – it’s crucial to the economic future and prosperity of our town and borough.
Basingstoke needs a new hospital if it is going to prosper and grow. Thousands of new homes are going to be built in the area, including the major Manydown development. Our current hospital cannot cope with this expansion.
As Emily points out, Sir Keir Starmer promised Basingstoke constituents during the General Election campaign that a Labour Government would be committed to building a new hospital, telling The Gazette: “We’ll get the hospital built.”
Labour is currently carrying out a review of the previous Government’s much-trumpeted New Hospital Programme after delivering the stark judgement that there is not enough money to deliver on all the promises that were made by the Conservatives.
Be in no doubt – there are going to be winners and losers when the review is published. Basingstoke needs to be among the winners – for its people, its businesses, and their future health, well-being and prosperity.
What can we do? The people of Basingstoke – whether you live or work here – can make a difference by making it loud and clear that we are united in wanting clarity and confirmation that we are going to get our new hospital. Please make your voice heard by signing the petition and getting behind The Gazette campaign today.
Sign the petition here https://www.change.org/p/demand-health-secretary-fulfils-promise-of-a-new-hospital-in-basingstoke