Mike Hancock CBE - Liberal Democrat MP for Portsmouth South

1A Albert Road
Southsea
Hampshire
PO5 2SE

Tel: 023 9286 1055
Email: portsmouthldp@cix.co.uk

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Mike Hancock welcomes decision over hospital ward for elderly.

08 December 2010

Portsmouth's Lib Dem MP Mike Hancock MP and the party's parliamentary Spokesman for Portsmouth North, Darren Sanders, today welcomed the Health Minister's announcement in Parliament that the Independent Reconfiguration Panel will fully review the closure of G5 ward at Queen Alexandra Hospital.

Mike and Darren wrote to Portsmouth's NHS Trust in August asking for the closure decision to be reversed. Mike also asked Health Secretary Andrew Lansley to reverse the decision and carry out full consultation.

Darren said: "This is a triumph for the people of Portsmouth and the News' magnificent campaign. Mike and I got involved back in August because, at that stage, no leading politician in the north of the city was opposing the closure. We have had no apology for the Trust's decision or the behind closed doors way in which it was done. I hope the Panel gives the people of Portsmouth the say the Trust denied them for so long."

Mike said: "Our city has united as one against this closure and I am delighted we have got the Government to listen. Like many others, I was shocked when I heard this ward was going to be closed. Looking after people living out their last days is a big test of any decent society. Sticking-plaster ideas lasting a few weeks will not help. I hope this review will provide the long-term solution we need. I will be pressing the case for G5 ward with the Panel and with ministers and will be asking to meet with ministers."

Notes:

Paul Burstow, the Health Minister said today: "On 25 October, the Secretary of State asked the independent reconfiguration panel to consider the issue that was raised by the Portsmouth health overview and scrutiny committee regarding a referral of ward G5. The advice has now been tendered, and the Secretary of State has asked the panel to undertake a full review of the case. He expects that report by March of next year and I am sure that during that period, conversations at ministerial level will be helpful."

Mike and Darren's letters in August can be accessed at http://www.mikehancock.co.uk/news/551/34/Lib-Dems-urge-hospital-to-think-again-on-ward-for-elderly/

Details of the Independent Review Panel and their procedures can be obtained at http://www.irpanel.org.uk/view.asp?id=92

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