Ensuring the future of Leek Moorlands Hospital is one of the most important issues for me as your MP. I am a strong supporter of the hospital, my family and I have and would always want to be treated there and as your Member of Parliament, I will continue to do my very best for local residents holding regular meetings and raising their concerns with local health and care leaders and local authorities as well as with the Department of Health and Social Care in Westminster.
Cllr Sybil Ralphs and I held a meeting recently with senior health and care officials from the CCG, STP, MPFT, the NHS and Staffordshire County Council to discuss the latest position regarding Leek Moorlands Hospital.
It was a positive and constructive meeting and we were reassured that we all share the same aim: to deliver the right health and social care services for the people of Leek and the Moorlands.
The health and care officials confirmed that the consultation will take place at the end of the year and it was clear from the meeting that what is important to everyone present, is that we all continue to work together in a positive, non-political manner to do the very best for local residents in Leek and the Moorlands.
I welcome the recent Government announcement that Staffordshire is receiving £3,541,964 of funding to help social care services cope with winter pressures. This is part of our balanced approach to the economy - spending on key public services while keeping taxes down and getting debt falling.
Social care packages allow people to leave hospital as soon as they are well enough, and ensure they can regain independence and confidence at home. This funding will allow Staffordshire to meet the care needs of more local people this winter.