THE trust which runs Basingstoke hospital has warned that plans to build a new hospital may not go ahead if it does not meet “NHS requirements”.

A report prepared for Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) Board of Directors’ meeting in July provides details of the “significant risks” identified on its ‘risk register’.

One of these includes the risk that the Modernising Our Hospitals and Health Services (MOHHS) scheme - which would see a new hospital built for the town - “may not proceed”.

It states: “The MOHHS scheme may not proceed if the overall affordability does not meet the NHS requirements in the business case.”

It adds: “If we do not deliver the Modernising our Hospitals and Health Services Programme then we will not be sustainable to meet the health care needs of the local population (four drivers for change: meet population growth needs, clinical sustainability, financial sustainability, fit for purpose estates).”

A risk relating to public engagement and consultation is also included on the register.

Following a review of the risks related to the new hospital programme, the impact of public engagement and consultation was increased to “reflect the potential implications for the Hampshire Together / MOHHS programme”.

The report said: “This is the risk that the MOHHS scheme may not be successful with engagement and support from external bodies. Mitigations include maintaining regular contact with national colleagues.”

The reports identifies that a public consultation on the plans is now expected to take place in the autumn, having been delayed from January this year.

It notes that “land negotiations and discussions” with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council need to progress to “ensure options to purchase and successful planning application”.

The trust has shortlisted two locations for a new hospital: one on land near to Junction 7 of the M3, which it has identified as its ‘preferred location’, and the other at the current site of Basingstoke hospital, in Aldermaston Road.

However, questions have been raised as to whether the town will be given a new hospital building, after leaked government documents revealed NHS trusts were ordered to describe newly built units and major refurbishments of existing NHS buildings as “new hospitals”.

Basingstoke was chosen as one of 48 locations to have a new hospital as part of a £3.7 billion government funding package.

The Conservative Party committed to building 40 new hospitals as part of its manifesto in the 2019 general election.

HHFT has been asked for a comment.