Last week, I announced that I had secured an Adjournment Debate in the House of Commons on the future of the Urgent Care Centre at Mount Vernon Hospital. This evening, that debate took place.
I welcome the support from colleagues Gagan Mohindra (South West Hertfordshire) and John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington), both of whom understand the importance of protecting the urgent care provision at the hospital. On local matters such as these, it is vital to push aside party politics because we should be united by the collective objective to work in the best interests of the communities we were elected to represent.
Karin Smyth was the Health Minister tasked with responding on behalf of the Government. I urged her to listen to the 20,000 local voices and safeguard the future of the unit. Sadly, no such commitment was forthcoming.
She did, however, quite rightly highlight the importance of local consultation in local-decision making. We have simply not seen that demonstrated in this case.
There has been limited engagement from hospital management with residents, local leaders and - most concerning of all - staff at the unit. At every stage of the process, we have all been on the backfoot.
I asked the Minister to - at the very least - support a pause, so that the public consultation I was assured would take place at the start of this process can be undertaken. This will provide the opportunity for meaningful engagement with the very people this disastrous decision impacts. Again, no commitment was made.
To watch the full debate, please follow this link.
On Friday, I will be meeting with hospital management to continue the conversation and to continue the fight on behalf of the 20,000 local people who have voiced their support for this valued local service and their opposition to its closure. Residents will of course be kept updated on this important matter.
