IN my last Westminster Diary of the year, I wanted to focus on my top priority: the Alexandra Hospital.
The Alex has seen major investment this year. The £18.8 million operating theatre complex is now open and helping to tackle the covid backlogs.
Chemotherapy patients are once again receiving their treatment at the Garden Suite which is back at the Alex after a hard-fought campaign – another promise delivered.
There are now more doctors and nurses working for our Acute Trust than when I was first elected.
These are all positive developments which I’m sure we can all welcome, but of course there is still more to do and securing more investment in our hospital and the return of a maternity and children’s service remains my main focus.
You may remember that in my Westminster Diary a few weeks ago I debunked the falsehood that the Alex can’t continue to expand and grow.
It clearly can as demonstrated by the brand-new operating theatre complex which is a purpose-built extension to the Alex.
Well, I want to debunk another falsehood about how we get a maternity and children’s service back to our hospital.
It’s after a saw a comment on Facebook which said this couldn’t happen because the Alex is full. It suggests these services can’t be brought back because there’s no room left. I disagree. Why? Because I’ve always believed in what is the art of the possible.
Unsurprisingly to me that comment on Facebook was liked by a local Labour Councillor. It shows Labour’s lack of ambition, vision and that they have no plan to return these services. That’s if they still plan to.
Yes, the Alex might be full, which is great by the way because it demonstrates what an essential role our hospital plays in the delivery of healthcare, but this shouldn’t be seen a prohibitor to returning a maternity and children’s service.
As demonstrated by the operating theatre complex, the footprint of the Alex has increased this year.
Our hospital can still continue to grow and expand, so let’s be ambitious, unlike the Labour Party, and believe in the art of the possible.
I remember being told that I wouldn’t succeed in getting the Garden Suite back to the Alex. Just how wrong they were. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.
