The NHS has insisted the new Whitehill and Bordon Health Hub project is “progressing well” despite the fact no GPs have actually agreed to work there.

Hampshire County Council’s health and adult social care meeting (HASC) heard an update on Tuesday (January 14) about the position of the lease agreement relating to health service provision in Whitehill and Bordon Health Hub.

It was previously reported that hub could be at risk since the primary medical care contract was not signed – and that still has not happened, though a top NHS boss has said that does not worry him.

A report presented in a council meeting on November 26 said the lease of the building to provide primary care and community health was “the critical enabler” for the project to go ahead.

Once complete, all services currently provided at The Chase Community Hospital on Conde Way will move to the hub, which will focus on primary and community care and include a new GP surgery and pharmacy.

That report said that to permit the procurement of the building in January 2025, the lease must be completed by the end of 2024 to enable the hub to be opened and occupied by all health services as planned in 2026/2027.

However, at the meeting, Martyn Rogers, executive director of primary care at the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB), reiterated the commitment of Badgerswood and Forest Surgeries. He said these would provide primary care and community health services to the hub, and move there in early 2027.

He said: “The negotiations between the development, the GP provider, and Chase Pharmacy are progressing well. They haven’t signed the lease yet but are not particularly concerned.”

Considering that the legal agreement needs to be in place with NHS providers to complete the detailed design process, councillors asked whether the ICB, which plans NHS services in the area, is concerned about the delay.

Mr Rogers said: “I don’t have any concerns to raise. What I see is a normal exchange between commercial parties to make sure they are both in terms of value.

“We are committed to this project, and we want it delivered.”

Director of primary care for NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight James Roach said the key message is that they have been working in partnership with the Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company, East Hampshire District Council, and other providers to deliver the hub.

Whitehill and Bordon Regeneration Company, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, and the landowner have agreed to extend the process until February 2025.