Liberal Democrats launch campaign to rebuild Southampton General Hospital

Local Liberal Democrat campaigner Thomas Gravatt has launched a petition calling on the government to rebuild the aging buildings at Southampton General Hospital. 

The current heatwave has highlighted the extreme pressure that Southampton General Hospital is under.

The aging buildings are not suitable for these extreme periods of heat and that is having an impact on patients. The hospital has closed operating theatres and restricting the number of visitors who can come and see their loved ones.

We understand why they are taking these sensible precautions – but this is unacceptable in a 21st century Britain.

We need to rebuild Southampton General Hospital so that our region has access to the best possible healthcare.

Much of the hospital estate was built in the 1960’s and 1970’s and it is not set up for the extremes of heat we are now experiencing. Like many other hospitals, Southampton General is also not coping with the increased demand it is facing.

Families across Hampshire rely on Southampton General Hospital. Our doctors and nurses provide world-class care, but too often they are forced to do it in buildings that are no longer fit for a modern NHS.

We need modern healthcare facilities in Southampton. Some parts of the hospital site are newer and fit for purpose, it is the crumbling older buildings that must be rebuilt. We know this is a big ask, but other hospitals have been rebuilt in our country and it is clear that Southampton must be next.

The recent fire which destroyed the Southampton General Hospital Endoscopy department highlighted how urgent the need to modernise the hospital and improve safety standards is. 

Crisis is the new normal in our NHS and this must change. We need investment to make sure patients have the care they deserve and so that hard-working NHS staff are working in safe, comfortable environments. Their jobs are hard enough already without having to fight against broken air-con, blistering temperatures and cancelled operations.

Sign our petition today and tell the government that they must rebuild the crumbling buildings at Southampton General Hospital.