The Leader of Stockport Council has today invited the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, to visit Stepping Hill Hospital after an announcement this week said that the Government were unwilling to fund the long-awaited repairs to the hospital estate. This comes despite a cross-party motion passing in the Stockport council chamber calling on the Government to provide urgent funds in order to restore the site.
Stepping Hill hospital still features buildings first built in 1905 and has in recent months had various outpatients and wards evacuated due to safety concerns. NHS Foundation staff are currently operating on a 6-week rota that moves services across different buildings to be able to provide the necessary care required, despite the circumstances.
Leader of Stockport Council, Cllr Mark Hunter said
‘We are beyond disappointed at the latest U-turn by the Labour government. Our motion was supported by all parties in the chamber, where many members spoke of the poor state of disrepair the hospital is in. It is quite frankly astonishing that given the circumstances, that this isn’t a priority for the Government. I’m sure Stockport Labour are just as angry as we are at the complete disregard that is being given by the Government.’
The Liberal Democrat motion was passed with an amendment from Stockport Labour that acknowledged the Health Secretary’s previous commitment to provide the money needed, but urged him to prioritise Stepping Hill, given the extent of the repairs needed.
Cllr Hunter added
Our two Liberal Democrat MPs, Lisa Smart and Tom Morrison, have been tirelessly working on this in Parliament to try and achieve a resolution. After the latest setback, they, like us, show no sign of giving up.
In July, Wes Streeting said Stepping Hill will get the funding it needs and that he was determined to fix the NHS. It’s sad to see he is now using the language of “difficult decisions” to say he doesn’t see it as a priority.
Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Ed Davey visited Stepping Hill hospital with Tom, Lisa and I to understand the issues we’re facing, I think it would be helpful for Wes Streeting to follow in his footsteps. Our motion invited the Health Secretary to visit Stepping Hill and see the crumbling buildings for himself. I’d like to reiterate this invitation now- come and visit the hospital and see for yourself the conditions our residents have to tolerate.
