MEDICAL chiefs have launched plans to relocate a doctor’s surgery, which treats 14,000 patients, in a bid to meet growing needs.

Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (HHFT) has issued a notice that it intends to dispose of part of the Andover War Memorial Hospital site which encompasses Andover Health Centre.

Talks have gone on for months between the trust, West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and five GP practices in the town about relocating the centre to another part of the hospital.

As the Advertiser previously reported the CCG is seeking to develop a health and wellbeing hub to meet the demands of a growing population.

A spokesman for the CCG said: “The CCG successfully bid to NHS England’s Estates and Technology Transformation Fund (ETTF) for capital investment to improve surgery facilities in Andover to meet the needs of a growing population.

“Plans are still being drawn up and costs identified but the intention is to provide new premises for the Andover Health Centre practice on the Andover War Memorial Hospital site subject to a business case being approved by NHS England.”

Despite the notice to dispose of the land, HHFT has said it is not yet a done deal, and it is working to secure investment for replacement facilities.

Malcolm Ace, chief financial officer, said: “Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and West Hampshire CCG are looking at ways to provide improved healthcare facilities for the population of Andover.

“We have been working together to secure investment in new replacement facilities on the hospital site and this land would only be sold if the facilities, as well as associated infrastructure, such as car parking, are replaced.”

But community groups and councils are now being given the option to bid on the land, and Andover Town Council members were set to discuss this at a meeting last night (Thursday).

Anyone wishing to purchase the health centre land has until March 12 to issue notice to the hospital trust.