Secretary of State promises to look at the delay in Poole's new maternity unit

11.30.00am GMT Fri 20th Nov 2009

Annette Brooke MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole led the charge in the Queen's Speech debate on health and education. She called upon the Government to investigate the delay in new buildings to house Poole Hospital's maternity unit.

During the debate - which takes place every year to discuss the legislation announced in the Queen's Speech - she explained her pride in Poole Hospital's high performance and high standards but expressed dismay at the delay at rebuilding the existing unit which is physically decrepit. She had been assured over 16 months ago that 'everything was in hand' for a new unit to be built at the hospital, which has received a 'double starred' rating.

Speaking in the debate Annette said: [the hospital] has been ranked as the safest hospital in the country, because of how it has tackled infections. We are not talking, therefore, about a badly managed hospital-quite the contrary. Yet problems have arisen with the funding for the new maternity unit. I make a special plea to the Minster to look into the matter. The unit is much needed in a hospital that has been managed extremely well.'

In his response Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Health, promised to look into the matter, recognising the strength of feeling about it and acknowledging the calls Annette and her constituency neighbour Robert Syms MP had made on the matter.