I have received many emails and letters concerning Leek Moorlands Hospital and would like to update Moorlands residents on the situation.
I have always used Leek Moorlands Hospital and my family and I would always want to be treated there. I believe that saving Leek Moorlands Hospital is not about politics as some people are saying, but about everyone coming together on a cross-party basis to do the very best for Staffordshire Moorlands.
I have called for and attended many meetings to discuss the Leek Moorlands Hospital including meetings with the Health Secretary and the Director of the STP where I have explained the issues facing the Hospital to them and have been clear about the need for Leek to have the right services under one roof.
Working on a cross-party basis, I have also held meetings with the Save Leek Hospital Action group as well as the Leader of the District Council, Cllr Sybil Ralphs MBE and have sent representatives to all CCG meetings when I have been unable to attend due to my Parliamentary duties.
Following the closure of beds at Leek Moorlands Hospital and a meeting with the Interim Chair at UHNM, I have written to the Health Secretary and the CCG asking them to give serious consideration to re-opening the beds at the Leek Moorlands Hospital due to the situation at the UHNM Royal Stoke Hospital where they are experiencing an incredibly challenging period struggling to cope with the winter bed deficit.
I have since been informed that beds at Bradwell Hospital are to be opened on a temporary basis to help with winter pressures. Whilst this is good news, albeit only temporary, I still believe that we need the beds in Leek to help with the demands on UHNM.
I would like to thank the hundreds of local people who completed my hospital survey, the redacted results have now been sent to the CCG and shared with the Save Leek Hospital Action group.
The CCG are currently asking Moorlands residents to complete their survey at https://tinyurl.com/DesignFutureHealth