I am sorry I cannot be there with you this evening. As the elected representative in Parliament for Staffordshire Moorlands, I am duty bound to be in Parliament where I can discuss with ministers the concerns you raised on the doorstep during the General Election campaign. As your elected MP, I am the only person who is able to speak for Staffordshire Moorlands in Westminster, and it is vital that I give due weight to this duty.
I can 100% assure you that although I am not physically present in the Moorlands, I am fighting your corner here in Westminster. This morning, at Cabinet, I raised the issue of the Leek Moorlands Hospital with Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health. He stated that Community Hospitals are an important part of the way that the NHS delivers services. He also assured me that it is Government policy that no NHS bed can close where that closure would put added strain on A&E. I am of the firm view that the beds in Leek Moorlands alleviate pressure on the A&E at Royal Stoke and will continue to make this point. Mr Hunt has also committed to putting this into writing.
I have also spoken to Marcus Warnes, the CCG’s Accountable Officer, and John MacDonald, Chairman of UHNM to reiterate my commitment to appropriate, accessible healthcare here in the Moorlands. Since I was first elected in 2010, I have been determined to bring more services to the Moorlands, and I will continue to work towards that goal during this parliament. What we need is a local Hospital that offers the services that we need here in Leek, together with excellent acute services at the Royal Stoke and social care so that nobody has to stay in hospital any longer than they need to and receives the care that is right for them.
When the consultation opens, I would encourage everyone to contribute in a constructive manner, so that we can work towards a Leek Moorlands Hospital with services which will work for everyone in the Moorlands not just in the short term, but for generations to come.