A new Winklebury Community Stakeholder Group has been established by the Winklebury Community Action Group, working with, and Chaired by, local MP Maria Miller. The Group was formed to help ensure clear and swift communication between the local community and Hampshire County Council in the event that a temporary mortuary space, located in a former warehouse on Winklebury Way, is required.
Under Emergency powers put in place at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hampshire County Council has a number of new legal responsibilities to ensure our community stays as safe as possible. One such responsibility, in a major health emergency, is to secure additional temporary mortuary space throughout the county and on behalf of the cities. The site in Winklebury has been identified to support this requirement – and is being established as a precautionary measure.
Hampshire County Council is currently in the process of modifying the space for possible future use. Should this be required, this includes ensuring that the area is designed to maintain the dignity and respect for the deceased at all times, as well as the sensitivity of the local community and that the facility is run to the highest possible standards.
Once ready, the site will remain closed with only essential maintenance taking place from time to time, until it may be needed. In addition, Basingstoke Hospital has increased its mortuary spaces by 140 (June 2020) to 217 spaces – currently, 18% of the capacity is typically in use.
The Community Stakeholder Group has been established to ensure any questions, concerns or information can flow freely from those responsible for the management of this temporary facility and local residents and businesses. Current stakeholders are Winklebury Community Action Group, Cllr Simon Bound Deputy Leader BDBC, Chair Maria Miller MP, Dave Moran Head Teacher Ashwood Academy with additional stakeholders being approached.
Mark Peters Chairman of the Winklebury Community Action Group commented; “Good communication during these difficult times is really important. The Mortuary site was not of our choosing, but each community is playing an important part during the pandemic. It was good to meet with the Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council and the Coroner who emphasised the fact that the facility is a temporary one which will only be put to use if and when required.”
Maria Miller MP Commented; “Good communication is key and the stakeholder group plans to help the flow of information between the County and local residents, organisations and businesses.”
John Coughlan, Chief Executive of Hampshire County Council said, “We all hope and pray this additional temporary facility will not be needed because of everyone’s efforts to manage the pandemic in Hampshire and to keep excess deaths to a minimum. But we also have a duty to be prepared and this facility was the most appropriate available for these purposes at the time. We are grateful to the community, to Maria Miller MP and the members of the Winklebury Community Action Group for their understanding and support and we are determined to work closely with them.”
Anyone who has a question or a concern about the operation of the facility can call Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council 01256 844844