Question marks over hospital plans, says shadow minister

The shadow health secretary, Mr Andy Burnham, said there were large question marks hanging over the proposal for a minor injuries unit at Newark Hospital following a visit to the town.

Mr Burnham met with members of the Save Newark Hospital Campaign as part of his Labour leadership campaign tour in Nottinghamshire yesterday.

He arrived outside the hospital in a campaign minibus emblazoned with Defend Our NHS before being greeted by about 20 campaign members and Labour supporters.

Mr Burnham then had a meeting with the campaign group to listen to concerns about the future of the hospital and the decision to replace its A & E department with a minor injuries unit plus.

He said: "I am glad I came to Newark as I now know more about the situation and it seems to me there are some very large question marks hanging over this proposal.

"Given Newark’s geography, it needs urgent care facilities and it is not acceptable for people to be told they have to travel to Lincoln.

"But above everything else, the Government’s commitment to a moratorium on hospital changes means that this is a change that should not be proceeding any further."

Mr Burnham told campaigners that he would write to the new health secretary, Mr Andrew Lansley, about how the comments of health minister Mr Simon Burns that the review met Government criteria did not square up with the pledge he gave that all hospital changes would be subject to a moratorium.

The MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer, said: "It is important that everybody from all parties understands what a critical issue Newark Hospital is.

"A Government minister has now visited, a shadow minister has now visited, therefore I hope that we can fairly represent the case of Newark Hospital to the Coalition with a view to maintaining the current level of services that it provides for the community."

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