EDM 750: Healthcare in Winchester

That this House expresses deep concern over the ongoing crisis in healthcare provision in Winchester, including the two declarations of critical incidents at Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester this winter; notes with alarm that a primary cause of hospital overcrowding is the lack of social care packages available from the Conservative-run Hampshire County Council, preventing patients from being discharged and freeing up vital hospital beds; condemns the years of cuts and neglect to both health and local services by the previous government, including the repeated broken promises of delivering a new hospital in Hampshire despite the lack of available funding; is dismayed by the announcement that the New Hospitals Programme for Hampshire will be delayed by another decade until between 2037 and 2039, failing to deliver the investment urgently needed in Winchester for the provision of A&E services and building improvements; recognises the tireless efforts of healthcare professionals who continue to work under immense strain; calls on the Government to release a full impact assessment of how the delays to the New Hospital Programme will affect patients and NHS staff; and urges immediate action to provide the necessary resources to improve hospital facilities in Winchester, including more support for NHS staff, increased funding for building maintenance and more social care packages.