Jonathan Djanogly the MP for Huntingdon constituency voiced his concerns for the future of Hinchingbrooke Hospital on the floor of the House of Commons.
Speaking yesterday on the Conservative organised debate on the NHS, led by Shadow Secretary of State for Health Andrew Lansley MP, Mr Djanogly said:
"As my hon. Friend knows, hundreds of jobs have gone at Hinchingbrooke hospital, with hundreds more likely to go, and the hospital is now subject to a closure threat. It seems to me that the strategic health authority's review is in fact cover for a slash-and-burn policy conducted by this Government. What does my hon. Friend have to say about that?"
After the debate Mr Djanogly said "I remain very concerned that the strategic health authority is confusing short term cost cutting measures with long term need to strategically review the future of the medical requirements of people of Huntingdonshire and Cambridgeshire."
In addition, Mr Djanogly and Shailesh Vara, the MP for the neighbouring Cambridgeshire constituency have today launched an Early Day Motion in Parliament in support of the Hinchingbrooke hospital.
Text of EDM 2178
That this House notes with concern reports that the review of services currently being undertaken by the East of England Strategic Health Authority could result in cutbacks to or closure of Hinchingbrooke Hospital; believes that this threat to the hospital has been caused by the Government's mismanagement of the NHS; notes the widespread anger and anxiety felt by the local community about these threatened cutbacks and the impact they would have on a rapidly expanding population; believes that the people of Huntingdonshire are being punished for the Government's incompetent management of the NHS; and urges the Government and the East of England Strategic Health Authority to improve dramatically their management of NHS finances in order to prevent damage to the quality of patient care in Huntingdonshire.
The full text of the debate that took place in the House of Commons can be seen by entering the following link:
http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm061011/debtext/61011-0003.htm#06101166000001."