Citizen’s A&E campaign backed by councillors
Milton Keynes Council has given its backing to The Citizen’s A&E campaign.
A motion was passed at last night’s full council meeting, backing the need for a bigger A&E department at Milton Keynes Hospital.
The campaign, launched last month, will lobby the government for a new unit to suit the needs of Milton Keynes. At the moment, the A&E department deals with 53,000 more patients a year than it was designed to when it was first built in the 1980s.
The motion, put forward by Labour, read: “This council notes the launch of a campaign by the Citizen newspaper to highlight the need for a new, larger Accident and Emergency Unit at Milton Keynes Hospital.
“This council is concerned about:
> the staff shortages at Milton Keynes Hospital, highlighted by the Care Quality Commission
> financial constraints on the hospital
“This council welcomes the work of Milton Keynes Hospital staff against the backdrop of a difficult financial crisis... and supports the Citizen newspaper campaign for a larger Accident and Emergency Unit, however it believes this must be linked to extra nurses, other staff and resources to effectively run a new larger Accident and Emergency Unit.”
Councillor Norman Miles, leader of the Labour group, said: “It is vitally important that we back this campaign because Milton Keynes Hospital’s A&E is working far beyond it’s capacity.
“But it is important that if we were to get a new building, it has to be adequately staffed. We’re talking quality too, not just quantity.
“We all know the current staffing levels are low, and that people they have working there are doing a terrific job, but it is something that needs to be fully addressed.”
The campaign, already backed by both MPs and given the thumbs up by Prime Minister David Cameron, received cross-party backing.
Mr Miles added: “Overall, all parties agreed to the sentiment of the motion and it is something we all need to get behind.”
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Thursday 23 May 2013
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