On Saturday, Andrew Lansley, the Shadow Secretary of State for Health, joined Gavin Barwell, Jason Hadden and Richard Ottaway (the Conservative candidates for Croydon Central, Croydon North and Croydon South respectively) to visit the Accident & Emergency Department and stroke ward at Mayday Hospital. Speaking after his visit, Andrew said:
"I was delighted to visit Mayday Hospital on Saturday and meet the NHS professionals who are working around the clock to provide care to people living in Croydon and beyond.
"Gavin, Jason, Richard and I listened to their concerns about NHS London's proposals, which could have an impact on services at the hospital. A Conservative Government would scrap these plans and allow GPs, in consultation with their patients, to ensure that local communities get the services they need. To that end, I would support the development of a hyper acute stroke unit at Mayday in addition to all the other services required to support Croydon's growing population.
"Only a Conservative Government will deliver the improvements in our NHS because we have pledged to increase the NHS budget in real terms each year and to plough back billions of savings from waste and bureaucracy into frontline services. We will not make the sick pay for Labour's debt crisis."
Gavin added:
"Jason, Richard and I were delighted to welcome Andrew to Mayday and show him what a nonsense it is to suggest that the only hospital serving a town of Croydon's size could be downgraded. Not only did we get a commitment that a Conservative Government would scrap NHS London's plans but Andrew also expressed his support for hyper-acute stroke unit at Mayday, something all three of us have been campaigning for. At the moment, people from Croydon are taken to St George's in Tooting for such care - as they will be for an increasing range of services if Labour get their way and Mayday is downgraded. If you want the maximum range of services at your local hospital, you need to vote Conservative on 6th May."
Notes:
Under proposals from the Labour Government to save money in the London NHS, some hospitals in south London will be downgraded and lose major services like Accident & Emergency (A&E) and maternity.
A leaked report suggests that Mayday A&E is one of those at risk.
In previous re-organisations Mayday has already lost out to St George’s in Tooting on having acute trauma and hyper-acute stroke units: now A&E is under threat.
We believe that the additional journey time to alternative A&E Departments will inevitably put lives at risk. We think that the best interest of Croydon is served by the retention of Mayday A&E and we urge the Government, through this petition, to think again. If elected, a future Conservative Government will immediately stop the review of clinical services at the Mayday – including the A&E unit.
Please do contact us with any issues or concerns you may have. We answer all our constituents' correspondence and value your comments. If you want your concern addressed by your local team, please follow the link above.
