The Prime Minister has pledged to examine the timing of a new maternity and paediatric unit at Musgrove Park Hospital, after concerns about conditions at the existing Taunton facility were raised in Parliament.
Fresh pressure has been placed on the Government to bring forward a long-awaited Musgrove Park Hospital project, after the new Prime Minister was challenged during his first Commons appearance in the role.
Gideon Amos, MP for Taunton and Wellington, raised the issue during Mr Burnham’s first appearance in the House of Commons as Prime Minister on Tuesday, September 1.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will look into the timing of a planned new maternity and paediatric unit at Musgrove Park Hospital.
The proposed unit is included in the Government’s funding programme, but is not currently scheduled to be delivered until 2033.
"The most challenging estate in the country"
Liberal Democrat MP Gideon Amos has launched a petition calling for the scheme to be brought forward, which has been signed by nearly 3,000 people.
He told the Prime Minister: “Over the summer, the National Maternity Review confirmed what we all feared in Taunton, which is that Musgrove Park Hospital's maternity unit is the most challenging estate in the country.
“It cannot be right that mums are giving birth in 30-degree heat and staff are fainting when they're looking after them.”
He added: “If that's the most challenging estate in the country, they cannot wait until 2033.
“Will the Prime Minister please look at moving forward the new maternity unit at Musgrove Park as an urgent priority?”
Responding, Mr Burnham referred to previous visits to Musgrove Park Hospital during his time as a health minister.
He said: “I remember well visiting in my Health Minister days. I did some work shadowing at the hospital, so I know how much in need it is of renovation. I will look into the issue.”
“I think across the NHS this summer, staff have been working in unbearable conditions, same for patients as well.”
“I know the Health Secretary has this high on her agenda, and I will come back to the Honourable Gentleman when I've had a chance to look at the latest status of that issue.”
Mr Amos said he has also written to the new Health Secretary, Yvette Cooper, requesting an urgent meeting to discuss the proposed unit and inviting her to visit Musgrove Park Hospital.
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