The Winchester & Chandler's Ford MP highlighted how Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) is currently exploring a major service change which would see the creation of a new acute care hospital to handle the sickest and most complex patients.
Crucially, this move would leave midwife-led units only in Winchester and Basingstoke, with consultant-led services focussed on the new site.
Steve Brine asked the Minister, Dr Dan Poulter MP, if he felt comfortable that the clinical case for this kind of centralisation had been made, and if he would be comfortable with it being rolled out across the NHS.
Dr Poulter said Steve was right to raise the point, and said that such decisions are clinical, and need to be made at a local level to ensure safe care.
He also explained how HHFT had been awarded £50,000 to@provide enhanced facilities in birthing rooms at Florence Portal house.
The exchange came after Steve conducted a constituency-wide Health Check survey which covers general health policy, hospital as well as primary care and asks for views about the future of hospital services in our area. It is being delivered to every home in Mr Brine's constituency and an online version is available at www.stevebrine.com/surveys.
In addition, Steve is holding a major public meeting in Winchester city centre on 27th March which will give people a chance to learn more about possible changes to the NHS locally. See more at www.stevebrine.com/prioritynhs.
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