Local MP Mark Pawsey used Prime Ministers Questions this week to draw the attention of Prime Minister David Cameron to the vital role of the Hospital of St Cross and emphasised the need for local services to keep pace with housing development in the town.
Mark referenced the comments made by Simon Stevens, the Chief Executive of NHS England, who has spoken of the importance of local district hospitals in delivering a strong NHS.
In response to Mark’s question the Prime Minister acknowledged the hard work of staff at St Cross and highlighted the hospital’s new dedicated children’s outpatients unit which opened in September 2015.
Speaking after Prime Ministers Questions, Mark said:
“Rugby residents are rightly proud of our local hospital and since becoming MP in 2010 I have always fought for the retention of services at St Cross. I know how valuable the hospital is for my constituents and I want to see as many services as possible offered locally. In recent years we have seen an expansion of services provided at St Cross, such as the new children’s outpatients unit which opened last year, but I want to see further services offered here in Rugby as the town grows.”
Mark continued:
“Rugby is the fastest growing town in the West Midlands and while this represents a great opportunity to attract more jobs and investment into the town, it is vital that local residents continue to have access to the high quality public services that they deserve. Rugby is doing its part to provide much needed homes for future generations but we must make sure that the necessary infrastructure is provided as our town develops.”
Mark concluded:
“I know how much we all value the hard work and dedication of the staff at St Cross and I was very pleased that the Prime Minster recognised their incredible efforts in his response. Local District hospitals, like St Cross, have a vital role to play in the NHS and I will continue to argue in the strongest possible terms for more services at St Cross.”