Starmer Vows to Deliver New Hospital in Basingstoke Amid Rising Frustrations

In a recent exchange during Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer addressed the pressing need for a new hospital in Basingstoke, reassuring that it would be “funded and deliverable.” The commitment comes in response to Lib Dem MP Alex Brewer’s concerns about the deteriorating conditions at the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, where maintenance costs reportedly mirror those of a potential rebuild. Starmer criticized the previous Conservative government’s unfunded promise for the hospital, claiming it would have led to failure in delivery. He reassured constituents that under his leadership, the plans are robust, with estimates for the new facility ranging between £700 million and £900 million, funded through the New Hospital Building programme. The construction is slated to begin between 2037 and 2039, either on the current hospital site or a new site at Dummer. This initiative aligns with Labour’s revised promise to deliver 40 new hospitals by 2030, a commitment outlined by Health Secretary Wes Streeting.