PLANS for a modern “health campus” in Whitehill and Bordon’s new town centre – which will also serve patients from the Liphook area – are shaping up, with a potential developer on board.

Speaking at a packed community forum in January last year, East Hampshire District Counncil leader Ferris Cowper said he was determined to ensure the early provision of healthcare facilities in the growing town.

His comments followed mounting concern about health services in the area, with the Chase Hospital’s ongoing reshaping hitting speed bumps.

As a result, Mr Cowper “guaranteed” there would be a minor-injuries unit and a new care home in Whitehill and Bordon as part of the town’s regeneration.

Now, 12 months later, EHDC’s leader has been “working hard behind the scenes”, securing the interest of a developer keen to work with the council and other partners to deliver the facilities by 2019.

In a statement, the council, which is leading the town regeneration plan, explained the developer, not yet identified publically, had “considerable experience” in the care-home sector and that “one of our other lead partners is a highly regarded clinical practitioner”.

“East Hampshire District Council has taken the lead in pursuing top health facilities for the town, even though it is out of its remit, because councillors feel that it is a vital part of the town’s regeneration,” the statement added.

To draw up the proposals, the council has worked with partners involved in healthcare provision and local doctors.

In the statement, EHDC outlined the facilities the purpose-built health campus could have, including:–

nAn extended primary-care centre, with GPs, specialist nurses, therapists, hospital consultants and pharmacists working together to meet the health needs of residents, with access to advice seven days a week.

nFacilities and expertise to deal with minor injuries and provide diagnostic care to avoid travel to hospitals in Guildford, Basingstoke or Portsmouth.

nAn on-site dentist.

nA leisure centre to support healthy living and rehabilitation, for example for patients recovering from a heart attack.

nCare-ready homes – flats designed specifically to allow vulnerable people, who may normally need hospital or residential care, to continue to lead independent lives. The homes will be designed so accidents, such as falls or trips, are less likely than standard accommodation meaning less hospital stays for the frail.

nA nursing home which will care for people with more complex needs

nThe campus site would have open spaces with a play area, park and sculptures – all designed to improve health and wellbeing.

nA healthy living centre to support and inspire people to prioritise their own and their families’ health.

nAn education hub to enable the training and development of care professionals so that they are armed with the knowledge and skills to deliver outstanding care.

n A cafe to provide opportunities for social interaction and community involvement.

Residents currently have to travel to other locations in a 30-mile radius to access some vital services, the council said.

The town’s Chase Hospital – which also serves Liphook – would remain an “important facility” while the services are developed.

But the council said the new campus would encompass all the facilities currently provided by the Chase, as well as “significant new state-of-the-art facilities”.

Mr Cowper said: “East Hampshire District Council has led the work to develop proposals for a health campus in the new town centre since I called for it to be provided last January.

“Healthcare is outside our specific remit but we have been really proactive and led the development of these plans because they are so important to creating a thriving, healthy town where residents have a fantastic quality of life.