MPs' demand for Stafford Hospital rethink

Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy said the planned shake-up did not go far enough and needed to be changed, for the benefit of thousands of patients.

While proposals to remove a consult-led maternity unit at the hospital were branded 'deplorable' by South Staffordshire MP Gavin Williamson.

Current proposals for Stafford Hospital include downgrading key services and moving them to the likes of Stoke and Wolverhampton.

Very sick children will no longer be treated at the Weston Road site and the A&E centre will be reduced to 14-hour opening.

Level three critical care will be maintained at the site and a new midwife-led unit introduced.

Mr Lefroy outlined his concerns over plans for Stafford Hospital during yesterday's debate, calling for inpatient paediatrics to be retained at the Weston Road site, as well as its consultant-led maternity unit – as opposed to the proposed introduction of a midwife-led service.

"This is the right thing to do – the move will mean both Cannock and Stafford hospitals merge with teaching hospitals, helping them with recruitment and aiding to reduce overhead costs," he said. "But in my view, the proposals do not go far enough to ensure all those that use the services at Stafford are taken into account. These people must be properly represented.

"If the plans were to be altered, it would be to the benefit of hundreds of constituents."

Mr Lefroy pointed out that Stafford currently sees around 2,000 births per year - a figure set to rise with new homes planned and the anticipated influx of 1,000 soldiers at MOD Stafford.

As University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke already receives 6,000 births, those extra from Stafford could see that figure rise to 8,000, he argued.

His stance was supported by Mr Williamson, who said the removal of a consultant-led unit at Stafford would be 'deplorable', putting 'unsustainable pressure' on other trusts.

Mr Lefroy stated the 'argument that the most ill children should be treated at the biggest hospitals is not accepted by the public'.

He also claimed low income families are those set to be worst affected by the proposals.

He added: "The Secretary of State has rightly put emphasis on public safety and care and with these plans, I believe our local trusts can become national leaders in zero harm healthcare.

"Let this administration not become a dry legal exercise; but make the trusts involved shining examples of 21st century healthcare." Other MPs who spoke at the debate included Aidan Burley for Cannock Chase and Stone MP Bill Cash.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department of Health, Daniel Poulter, also attended the debate.

Mr Burley spoke to say that he supported the proposals for Cannock Hospital which will see it taken over by the Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust, adding: "A move I welcome after previous years saw Cannock Hospital left 50 per cent empty."

Under the current recommendations by the administrators, Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust will be dissolved.