News

.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

11 January 2007

 

Last week I wrote about the need to reform the National Health Service to make sure we get value for the very considerable amount of taxpayers’ money that is now spent on the service. 

How does that impact on our services locally? Regular readers will know that I have long expressed concerns about some aspects of the service provided at the William Harvey Hospital. Notwithstanding the dedicated work of so many doctors and nurses, too many things go wrong too often. 

Now there is controversy over the future of some of the older buildings at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Folkestone. My position is clear – I am concerned about the services not the buildings. 

I have discussed the future of the hospital with the Chief Executives of the local Primary Care Trust and the East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust. They have assured me that, with one possible exception, all the services that are presently provided at the sire will continue to be provided at the site. 

The possible exception is the urology service presently provided at the Derry Unit. The Trust may wish to move this service. If and when they do I shall certainly oppose the proposal. But that will be the appropriate time for us all to make our views known and felt. 

On another topic, I have been greatly saddened by the decision of the Ministry of Defence to ask Operation Sunshine to leave the premises at Shorncliffe from which they have done so much wonderful work for so many years. All sorts of goods and equipment are collected and sent to twelve different locations in nine countries in Africa. 

Unless new premises can be found by the end of March this wonderful work will stop. So far my efforts to find alternative accommodation have been unsuccessful. 

What is needed is a site of 4-500 square metres where the work can be carried out with an extra 50 square metres for storage. It also needs a forecourt of around 100 square metres which could accommodate a 40 foot container. 

If anyone knows of any such premises, could they contact Sheila Floyd on 250 132 or Ken Tee on 238 152.