Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond has donned virtual reality goggles to see how the new general hospital between Winchester and Basingstoke could look.

She went to a Westminster event this week to hear an update about the Government’s New Hospital Programme.

VR technology, videos and models were on hand to give a view of the new £800 million facility that could be built off junction 7 of the M3 on the southern edge of the town.

Health chiefs are currently considering two sites, the other being the present Basingstoke Hospital site.

The subject is controversial in Winchester as a new hospital would see major changes at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester. There are fears that the A&E unit would be downgraded and other services move to Basingstoke.

READ MORE HERE: £900 million ringfenced for new hospital

Senior consultants have warned publicly for many years that there are not enough specialist staff to retain existing services at the RHCH and a new hospital.

Mrs Drummond also met new hospitals minister Lord Markham to discuss timescales for the new hospital. It is in cohort 4 of the programme and should be completed after 2030.

She said: “I was impressed with the design and detail of the new hospital that will use the latest technology to improve staff and patient experience.

“By using standardised designs and modern methods of construction we should see good value for the taxpayer in the construction phase as well as reduced operational and maintenance costs.

“I have been supportive of the new hospital on this easily accessible site rather than a redevelopment of the North Hampshire Hospital in Basingstoke that would have been too far away for my constituents.

“Patients will have access to art-of-art facilities along with ample parking and excellent transport links,” the MP added.