news story

5th September 2007

MP Welcomes 'Dramatic' News on Future of Frenchay

Northavon MP Steve Webb has given a warm welcome to today's decision by the Health Scrutiny Committee at South Gloucestershire Council to make a fresh referral to the Health Secretary about the future of Frenchay Hospital.

The committee had simply been asked to 'note' the health secretary's recent letter in which he gave his continued backing to the Bristol Health Services Plan. But a Liberal Democrat amendment tabled by Cllr Sue Hope proposed making a formal referral to the Secretary of State asking him to put the BHSP out to independent review. A majority of the committee agreed to Cllr Hope's proposal, despite Labour opposition and an abstention by a Conservative councillor.

Commenting on the decision, Steve Webb, who is himself seeking a face-to-face meeting with the health secretary about the future of Frenchay, said:

"This is the best possible news for supporters of Frenchay. The health scrutiny committee of the Council is the one body with the legal authority to ask the Secretary of State to get this decision looked at again. As Alan Johnson has told Parliament that he will routinely agree to such requests there is now a real chance that the decision to downgrade Frenchay could be scrutinised by an independent panel.

"This is all that we have been asking for all along. After recent setbacks this is the best possible news for those who believe that Frenchay is the best place for the new 'super-hospital' to serve our area".