10.4 pm

Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): I am grateful for the opportunity to discuss health services in the west midlands and, not least, health services and the health crisis in Shropshire. As the House will know, the Shropshire health economy has been debated many times. Indeed, the Minister herself has replied to questions that have been put before the House on other occasions.

The MP will update nursing unions on his campaign to save local hospital services and to pressure Labour health ministers on possible plans by local hospital chiefs to cut 291 jobs at the hospital trust which would include cuts to nurses and doctors. Mr Pritchard will meet local branch officials from UNISON, AMICUS and the Royal College of Nursing.

Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard will widen his debate in Parliament on Monday to include the provision of health services in the West Midlands as a whole.

The MP has secured an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons on Monday the 20th of March. The debate will commence at approximate 10am

Mr Pritchard said I will not only be discussing the health crisis in Shropshire but also the impact on the county of the announcement that North Staffordshire Royal infirmary is to axe up to 1600 jobs including up to 16 senior consultants.

Wrekin MP, Mark Pritchard, has expressed his "delight" at securing an Adjournment Debate on 'Health Services in the West Midlands' on the floor of House of Commons on Monday 20th March.

Mr Pritchard said:
"This will be an opportunity for Labour Health Minister's to hear first hand how Shropshire patients, staff, and residents will suffer if the proposed cuts to local hospital and community patient services - go ahead".

The debate will take place in the main debating Chamber of the House of Commons at the close of other Parliamentary business.

Newport MP, Mark Pritchard, has called upon Newport residents to join his March For Life which is seeking to stop cuts to services at the Princess Royal Hospital. The marchers will leave the Charlton Arms Hotel in Wellington on Saturday 11th March at 11am and should last about an hour.

His call follows a public meeting last Friday in Newport where Mr Pritchard was joined by worried residents.

Mr Pritchard said:
"It is important that people turn out for the March to send a clear message to Tony Blair that we will not stand by and see the Princess Royal Hospital downgraded".

Wrekin MP, Mark Pritchard, has hailed as a "tremendous milestone" the reaching of the five thousand signature mark on the MP's Parliamentary Petition which is seeking to "change the government's mind over cuts to local hospital services".

Mr Pritchard said:
"The petition has attracted people from every walk of life and every political background. It is very encouraging that people are prepared to rally round and support my efforts to save hospital services. The is an example of the whole community working together for the community good".

Hospital campaigners are due to meet in Newport on Friday 3rd March to discuss plans to fight proposals by hospital chiefs and the strategic health authority to cut local hospital services.

Wrekin MP and save the PRH co-ordinator, Mark Pritchard, will Chair the meeting which is to be held at 7pm at Adams' Grammar School, Newport.

It is the second of two public meetings organised by Mark Pritchard; the first having been held in Wellington.

Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): I note the Minister's comments on ambulances, but might I bring her back to superbugs? Is she aware that the isolation ward at the Princess Royal hospital in my constituency closed one month ago? Does that mean that the Government believe that superbugs have gone?

Jane Kennedy: No.

Residents of Newport will get their opportunity to have their say on proposed cuts to hospital services at the Princess Royal Hospital following the call for a public meeting chaired by Newport MP, Mark Pritchard. The meeting is due to be held at 7pm at the Performing Arts Centre at Adams' Grammar School on Friday 3rd March. Mr Pritchard who has been running a long running campaign to save local hospital services has already held a similar public meeting in Wellington.

Mark Pritchard (The Wrekin) (Con): I am delighted that the Minister has agreed to visit the Princess Royal hospital in my constituency, and I would be delighted to welcome the hon. Member for Telford (David Wright) as well. Will the Minister improve staff morale at the hospital by stating categorically that the accident and emergency ward will not be downgraded from a consultant-led ward to a nurse-led ward?