Mike Penning condemns Minister's visit for failing to focus on the problems that really concern residents.

Local MP Mike Penning condemned Minister for Women, Harriet Harman, who skulked into the constituency today without visiting our hospital which instead is threatened with a visit from the bulldozers.

Mike said:

“Yet again we see a Government Minister visiting Hemel but choosing to ignore the hospital. The future of our hospital is the single biggest issue that concerns the residents of Hemel Hempstead yet Ministers continue to fail to address this.”

He continued:

“Instead of addressing the real problems – problems that could easily be solved if the Government had the heart to do it – Ms Harman indulged herself in a Royal-style walkabout in the town’s market.

“I have no doubt that the people of Hemel Hempstead will have told her their concerns at having to travel to Watford for healthcare. As the Minister for Women, she owes a responsibility to look after the needs of local women who have to travel to Watford give birth.

“It is especially hard on mothers of babies who are kept for several weeks in the Special Care Baby Unit, as the mother has to travel back and forth for feeding times. I’ve heard stories of women sitting in traffic jams on the Hempstead Road knowing that their babies are missing their feeding times. These stories are very upsetting.”

Mike Penning was in Westminster meeting local constituents on a visit to the House of Commons at the time of the visit, as against protocol and common courtesy, the Minister had failed to notify the local MP of her visit to the constituency.