Local MP Steve Brine dropped into Winchester hospital on Friday 3rd March 2012 for his latest meeting with the bosses and staff.
Mr Brine, who visits the hospital every month as part of his focus on the local NHS, was accompanied by the new Chief Executive - of the new Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust - Mary Edwards as they dropped into the A&E Department to meet its new clinical lead Dr John Kitching. He explained the plans being put in place by the new organisation to radically improve waiting times and patient outcomes for those using the facility.
Speaking after the visit, the MP said; "I have said from the start that one of my red lines when it comes to Winchester hospital is to retention of a full Emergency Care service and it was very clear from today's visit that the new Trust share that view. Dr Kitching and Mary Edwards have real vision for A&E in Winchester and want to make it the heart of the hospital and a solid part of the business. Their plans are ambitious and that is absolutely right; I hope constituents attending the unit will start to see major improvements in the next 12-months in terms of replacing and updating the tired surroundings we currently have on show."
After A&E it was a short walk to Orthopaedics to meet with its team, including those at the sharp end in fracture clinic.
Mr Brine also heard of plans during his visit for the move of Outpatients into the Burrell Wing which has just been agreed by the Trust Board in a move that will cost £3m. Steve added; "This has long been the plan and it's great to see it being realised. A&E is very tied looking but it makes Outpatients – currently located in a dilapidated building right on Romsey Road – look positively modern. I cannot wait to see the first patients using the new Outpatients in Burrell."
Also during the visit Mr Brine discussed his campaign for better miscarriage care, the proposed new cancer treatment centre and the new commissioning structure that will be made possible by the coalition's Health & Social Care Bill. The MP, who chairs the All-Party Breast Cancer Group in Parliament, also raised the subject of digital mammography for breast screening and this will be one focus of his next visit to the hospital in early April.
More information ...
Visit the Trust website at www.hampshirehospitals.nhs.uk and see more on the Miscarriage care campaign at www.stevebrine.com/miscarriagecare.
