Conservative MPs Jeremy Lefroy (Stafford), Aidan Burley (Cannock Chase), Bill Cash (Stone), and Gavin Williamson (South Staffordshire) have today made a formal request to the Speaker of the House of Commons for an urgent debate on the proposed 3-month overnight closure of Stafford Hospital Accident and Emergency department.
Seeking the debate the local MPs are exploring all opinions with Government ministers and the local Primary Care Trust (PCT) to prevent the closure or limit its duration.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mr Lefroy said:
“We are extremely disappointed that the decision had to be taken which will see a short term closure of the A&E at Stafford and are working locally and in Westminster to help find solutions to the staff shortage at the hospital.
“We are calling for this urgent debate to ensure that Stafford is given full support to ensure the quickest possible return to 24 hour A&E and that every possibility is explored by the PCT and the Government.
“An A&E department open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, at Stafford is essential for all our constituents and we will fight to restore that as soon as possible.”
The MPs also took part in a conference call with Anthony Marsh, Chief Executive of West Midlands Ambulance Service to discuss the plans which will be put in place to deal with any added pressure when the temporary closure occurs.