New Hazel Grove MP prioritises Stepping Hill Hospital in maiden speech
Hazel Grove MP Lisa Smart called for repairs at Stepping Hill Hospital in her maiden speech in Parliament.
It comes following a burst pipe at the hospital earlier this month. The hospital has also faced collapsing ceilings, and its outpatients B building closed last November.
Addressing the House of Commons, the newly-elected Lib Dem said: "My constituents shouldn't have a hospital that is literally falling down. They shouldn't have to wait months and years for treatment, and they shouldn't have to struggle to care for their loved ones.
"The phenomenal staff at Stepping Hill shouldn't have to wade through flooded corridors to get to their patients, because yet another pipe has burst, as it did this weekend.
"Stepping Hill must get the repairs it needs, and we need a new additional hospital in the town centre so that local people can get the health and social care services they deserve. I will not rest until they do."
She joins Tom Morrison and Navendu Mishra (Cheadle and Stockport MPs respectively) in calling for more funding at the hospital.
The Department of Health and Social Care recently told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that Stepping Hill would get the support it needs.
The spokesperson said: "It is clear that many hospitals, like Stepping Hill Hospital, are in a state of disrepair meaning patients have not been able to access the care they so desperately need.
"The NHS is broken and this government is determined to fix it.
"We will provide the investment and reform needed to get patients the care they deserve."
Ms Smart also paid tribute to William Wragg and Lord Andrew Stunnell in her maiden speech, both of whom were former Hazel Grove MPs.
Lord Stunnell passed away earlier this year. Acknowledging his life and career, Ms Smart said: "Andrew was that rare kind of politician who gave politics and good name. He was interested in doing something, not just being something. He was an MP who set the standard to which all who came after him are rightly held.
"He helped me work out what it was to make a difference in public life. The people of Hazel Grove, the whole Lib Dem family, and I, will miss him and his guidance hugely."
And speaking of Mr Wragg, who is no longer in Parliament, she said: "I'd like to acknowledge the work of my predecessor, William Wragg, who served in Parliament from 2015 until standing down at the last election.
"He stood up to those in power when he felt it was needed, and spoke openly about poor mental health in a way I'm sure will have really helped break down stigma. On behalf of all residents of Hazel Grove, I wish him all the best for the future."
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