The first sod has been cut at the site of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust’s new Elective Hub and Orthopaedic Outpatients Department.

A ceremony was held at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, which was attended by by colleagues and supporters of Hampshire Hospitals, including the Trust’s chief executive, Alex Whitfield; Steve Brine, Member of Parliament for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford; and Jason Griffiths, regional director for Integrated Health Projects.

The Elective Hub and Orthopaedic Outpatients Department are both due to open in 2025 and are intended to provide more capacity for patients requiring orthopaedic operations, such as hip and knee replacements.

It is hoped the Elective Hub will deliver an extra 2,400 procedures each year and help to reduce the backlog. The hub will operate six days a week with staff from both Hampshire Hospitals and University Hospital Southampton.

Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “These projects are incredibly important for our patients in Winchester and beyond, allowing us to deliver more timely care for those waiting for non-urgent but really important orthopaedic procedures.

“We work very closely with our system partners and this is a clear example of effective system working, with colleagues and partners working collaboratively to bring our plans for these new purpose-built facilities to life. A huge thank you to all who have enabled us to reach this major milestone and, with building work now underway, it is really exciting to think of all the patients, colleagues and others in our communities who will benefit from these fantastic facilities in the years to come.”

Jason Griffiths, regional director of Integrated Health Projects, said: “IHP under the P22 Framework are delighted to be the construction partner to the NHS on this prestigious project. We look forward to delivering excellent elective and outpatient facilities in Winchester in 2025.”