News Archive

September 2005

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2 September 2005

Tony Wright tells health bosses that they have to end the “uncertainty and demoralisation” at Cannock Chase Hospital – and calls them to a public meeting

Tony Wright MP has written to the Chair and Chief Executive of the Mid Staffs General Hospitals NHS Trust about the ward closures at Cannock Chase Hospital, expressing his concern about the present situation (copy of letter attached).

He is also convening a public meeting to enable local people to quiz health bosses about their proposals for the Hospital.

Tony Wright said:

“In my view the time has come to get a proper vision and plan for how Cannock Chase Hospital is to be developed in the future. This is something we have never had, which is why we have so much uncertainty and demoralisation.

That is why I have decided to arrange a public meeting this autumn about the whole future of the Hospital, to which I am inviting the Trust so that people get a chance to question them directly about what is happening.

Local people fought long and hard to get this Hospital, and they deserve a say in its future.

26 September 2005

MP Meets Hednesford Police Officers to Discuss Spate of Vandalism

Tony Wright MP, along with local Councillors for Hednesford North ward, met last week to discuss the recent spate of vandal attacks in and around Hednesford park and town centre and to learn more about the police response.

Community Beat Sergeant, Sgt Anthony Richards, and beat officer, PC Emma Wardle, gave the MP and councillors a briefing on their action plan for the area and the positive effect this is currently having.

Tony Wright said:

“We were reassured that the police are getting to grips with this current spate of problems. What did emerge from our discussion though is the need for all agencies involved – the council, the police and youth services – to work together to address these any the underlying problems.

I shall therefore be pressing both Cannock Chase Council and Staffordshire County Council for united action on this front.”

28 September 2005

Tony Wright: “Have Your Say on Cannock Hospital ”

Following the controversy surrounding the recently announced ward closures at Cannock Chase Hospital , Tony Wright has arranged a meeting at which local people will have a chance to find out, and have a say on, the future plans for the hospital. They will be able to quiz the Chairman, Chief Executive and senior officers of Mid Staffs Hospitals NHS Trust, with Tony Wright in the chair.

The meeting is to be held on:

            Friday 7^th October

            at Cannock Chase Hospital (Valley Ward)

            at 3.30pm .

Tony Wright said:

“I wanted to set up a meeting so that local people can ask some direct questions about what is happening at the hospital, and what is planned for the future. There is a feeling of real uncertainty at the moment, which the ward closures have only intensified.

So this meeting is a chance for people to have their say about a hospital they fought long and hard for, and we are very proud of. We want to know that there is a real commitment to the hospital and the development of services there.”

(Note Tony Wright offered the Trust several dates for a possible evening meeting, but they were not able to agree to any of those, which is why this meeting is to be held in the afternoon.)