Steps forward for former Emsworth hospital site

PROGRESS on the future of a hospital site has been made.

It was decided at a meeting that doctors and the NHS will work together to come up with a fresh proposal to use the Victoria Cottage Hospital site in Emsworth.

It was put up for sale by NHS Property Services after it was deemed '˜surplus to requirements' by south eastern Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

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But residents rallied to save it '“ stating it should be used to benefit the town, with many wanting Emsworth Medical Pratice to move there.

Havant MP Alan Mak secured a reversal by the CCG, which meant it was taken off the market while talks take place.

Mr Mak said: '˜After much work by all of those involved, I am pleased that we have come to an agreement that there is potential for the Emsworth Victoria Cottage Hospital to be the site of the town's new surgery.

'˜I organised this meeting to open a dialogue between the doctors, the community and the NHS, and agree a road map for the future, so I was delighted we achieved those aims.

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'˜It was a very positive meeting, and we have taken a real step forward. However, there is still a long way to go in this process.'

Both doctors and the CCG will continue to engage with NHS England over funding.

Emsworth United, which represents the town's community groups, has pledged support to the process. 

At the meeting CCG representatives reiterated they would not list the hospital as surplus to requirements while negotiations are ongoing.

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