THE MP for Winchester has applauded the Labour government's move to scrap the Tory's old hospital plans.

Liberal Democrat Danny Chambers welcomed the news that Labour’s new secretary of state for health and social care, Wes Streeting, has announced an urgent review into the Conservatives’ new hospital programme.

During the election campaign, Mr Chambers opposed plans to downgrade Winchester's A&E department as part of plans for a £900 million near Basingstoke.

As an alternative, the Lib Dems proposed a new hospital to replace the RHCH at Sir John Moore Barracks on Andover Road, Littleton – a plan which has come under fire for being impracticable.

READ MORE: Winchester Lib Dems oppose plans for new hospital at Basingstoke

MP Danny Chambers opposes plans to downgrade Winchester's A&E department (Image: PA)

Speaking from Westminster, Dr Chambers said: “I absolutely understand the need for a review into the New Hospitals Programme. The finances and timelines have never stacked up.

"The National Audit Office and the Public Accounts Committee raised concerns about the programme back in October 2023.

“The Conservatives promised 40 new hospitals nationally and locally the Conservatives’ election materials repeatedly promised a new hospital in Basingstoke by 2032. It's clear to me that the 2032 timeline for a new Hampshire hospital is now under serious threat.

SEE ALSO: MP fears after Lib Dem idea for hospital at Sir John Moore Barracks

“In the meantime, both Winchester and Basingstoke hospitals are in urgent need of vital repairs. On top of backlog maintenance, I am calling for additional investment now to modernise the hospital buildings and infrastructure. The people of Winchester and Basingstoke deserve to be treated in modern, safe healthcare facilities.

“We also need to invest in primary care, to keep people healthy and avoid them needing to go into hospital in the first place.

“And to further reduce pressures on hospitals, we desperately need investment in social care. On a typical day in Winchester there are 160 people in our hospital who are well enough to be discharged but have no social care package in place.

"This has a direct knock on effect leading to delays for new patients being admitted both for planned procedures and from A&E, yet it costs twice as much to keep someone in a hospital bed than it does to provide a social care package. It’s bad value for the taxpayer, it's bad for patients and it’s bad for staff.”