Health Secretary visits Southport Hospital

Local MP Damien Moore has today welcomed the Secretary of State for Health, Matthew Hancock, to Southport.

On a visit to the town’ hospital, the Health Secretary welcomed the improved performance targets and welcomed new refurbishment projects ongoing.

The current refurbishments – worth in the region of £900,000 – include upgrades of patient bathrooms, staff locker rooms and upgraded staff toilets, a multidisciplinary team room in each area, improved storage for stock and linen, changes to fire doors in each ward to improve bed use and patient experience, and adjustments to improve the experience of patients with Dementia.

The refurbishments are in addition to the £2.8 million secured for additional clinical staff, £1.25 million expansion of the A&E department, £350,000 for a 24/7 Critical Outreach Team, and further £6 million for medical equipment over the next 5 years.

Whilst attending the hospital, the Health Secretary and the Southport MP were greeted by members of the hospital’s executive team, including senior clinical staff, before speaking with local patients.

Commenting on the visit, Health Secretary Matthew Hancock said:

“Massive thanks to Damien and the staff at Southport Hospital for welcoming me to Southport today.”

It was great to be able to say a big thank you to the staff for providing such a brilliant service. Damien is a superb MP for Southport who is constantly making the case for his constituents and his local hospital.”

“I will ensure that Southport’s health needs are met through more support for Southport hospital and the local NHS through our historic funding settlement for the NHS.”

Damien Moore MP added:

“I was delighted to welcome the Health Secretary to Southport Hospital.”

“In light of the recently published senate report, I am clear that Southport should retain its own standalone, multi-service hospital and I invited the Health Secretary here today to show him the outstanding – and crucial – services provided to our town’s population.”

“If the Trust secures funding to replace both Ormskirk and Southport Hospitals with a new purpose-built facility, I am clear that it must be built in Southport. It would be too detrimental to the health of residents to do otherwise.”