Speaking in the House of Commons yesterday, Mike Penning called for the Secretary of State for Health to debate the closure of hospitals and health facilities around the country.
Mike told MPs:
"In the early hours of Sunday morning, mindless and vindictive vandalism was committed in my constituency. When my constituents woke up, they found that every road sign that had the words "Hospital" and "A and E" on it had been sprayed out."
He added:
"The vindictive and mindless vandalism that took place was the closure of my acute hospital in the middle of the night. The A and E department, intensive care and the stroke, cardiac, maternity and all other acute services were closed on Saturday night."
Speaking afterwards Mike said:
"In Hemel Hempstead we have already lost our acute hospital and other communities around the country are destined to do the same. There is a real need for us to debate these closures and ask the Government – Is this really the best way of serving the health needs of our constituents?
"A town the size of Hemel – and set to grow – needs a fully functioning General Hospital, with A&E; and all the departments associated with it. This Government will leave a terrible legacy for the healthcare of the people of Hemel Hempstead." | 
