Mike Penning: It is all well and good saying that new units are opening here and there, but the Government are closing units to fund them. They talk about opening a cardiac unit, but they are closing the cardiac unit in Hemel Hempstead. The brand new stroke unit will close to fund the developments to which the Minister refers. So you are not giving anything new to the people of Hertfordshire; you are taking it away and handing it out somewhere else.
Caroline Flint: We have given many new opportunities to the people of Hertfordshire, which is why waiting lists are down. People used to wait years for operations; now, waiting lists are at record low levels, and there are more doctors and nurses in the county. Discussions have taken place as part of examining future health; indeed, there was a huge consultation on how hospitals could be redeveloped. I understand that there was widespread support for the proposals. They were supported by cross-party representatives, local people and local groups. Even the local media recognised how important is the opportunity of having a new hospital. |
