A PETITION to stop the closure of Winchester’s Accident and Emergency department is nearing its target.

The petition has so far been signed by 10,984 people, with a goal of 15,000 signatures.

The movement began in 2020 following the announcement that a new Hampshire hospital may be built near Basingstoke, sparking fears that the A&E unit at the Royal County Hampshire Hospital will close or be downgraded.

The online campaign, published by Mrs Winchester, is titled Stop the removal of Winchester Emergency Dept or build the new hospital here.

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The petition reads: “There is major concern from the residents of Winchester that the emergency department will be removed, with the added worry of the air ambulance service’s lack of funding and the time it takes for an ambulance to arrive being so long, some residents reporting up to 8hrs.

“In addition and contrast to Basingstoke; Winchester has many hundreds of thousands of tourists each year (400,000 to the Christmas market alone) and a large number of students.

“This combined far exceeds Basingstoke’s population and therefore requires at a minimum that a 24/7 accident department should remain In Winchester and be invested in.

“The residents hereby petition to keep the 24/7 accident and emergency department in place at a bare minimum.”

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As previously reported, the petition reached and exceeded its 8,000 signatures goal, with campaigners looking to gather the last 4,000 or so people to get behind the cause.

Jill J commented on the petition: “Basingstoke may not appear to be far on a map but anyone living locally knows that the M3 is often at a standstill during school holidays, weekends, good - and bad - weather and sometimes for no obvious reason at all.

“This results in an unacceptably long journey time.”

Meanwhile, John B expressed his belief that it is “imperative The Royal stays as is!”

Robina C added: “We need to keep our local hospitals, especially A&E and maternity.

“It would take much too long to travel to Basingstoke.”

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The new Basingstoke hospital would be part of a £3.7Bn government funding package.

Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust said last year that it is hoped the new hospital will be built by 2028.

Currently, two locations have been shortlisted for the new hospital – the current site of Basingstoke Hospital and land off Junction 7 of the M3.

Formal plans are yet to be implemented.

To access the online petition, visit 38degrees.org.uk/petitions.