Chris Skidmore MP raises plight of Frenchay
Hospital in Parliament
9th June 2010
Chris Skidmore, new MP for Kingswood, used his second appearance in the House of Commons to raise the downgrading of Frenchay Hospital in Parliament.
Chris, who has campaigned for the maximum possible facilities to remain at Frenchay, after the hospital was downgraded under the previous government losing its Accident and Emergency facilities, told MPs and Government Minister Francis Maude that Frenchay was 'excellent' and that 50,000 local residents had opposed the decision to downgrade.
At the same time, Chris said, the salaries of NHS quango bosses had increased by up to 77%. Chris asked the minister if greater transparency would prevent this from happening, so that money would go to front line services.
Francis Maude replied by congratulating Chris on "the very vigorous campaign that he has fought and continues to fight in the interests of his constituents to protect the work of the Frenchay hospital. I have visited the hospital and I know what good work it does."
Commenting on his decision to raise Frenchay in Parliament, Chris said, “This is a much-loved local hospital, which despite losing it’s A&E facilities under the previous government, I am determined to do all I can as the new MP to fight its corner.”
