Andrew Lansley MP to visit Island

The Shadow Secretary of State for Health, Andrew Lansley CBE MP is to visit the Island on Wednesday 20^th January. His visit is at the invitation of the Island’s MP Andrew Turner who asked him to come and see how the Island’s health service has responded to the re-organisation of the former NHS Trust and Primary Care Trust into a single organisation – which is unique in England.

Should the Conservatives win the forthcoming general election Mr Lansley is expected to take over responsibility for the National Health Service.  Speaking today he said:

“I am delighted to take up Andrew’s invitation to visit the Island.  In the final few months before an election there is a limit to the number of such visits I can make, because there is a great deal of policy and preparation work to be done.  However, I have frequently discussed the Island’s health services with Andrew and I wanted to come and see for myself how the local team have coped with all the changes over recent years.  The Island’s health services are delivered now in a unique way and I want to know about the advantages and challenges that brings.  It may well be that we can learn lessons from the Island that could usefully be applied to other rural areas.”

Mr Turner added:

“As well as visiting the hospital I have arranged for Andrew to see how the new arrangements for prison health are bedding in.  It is important that the transfer of this responsibility to the National Health Service does not adversely affect healthcare for Island residents.

“He will also hear from Cllr.Dawn Cousins about the Council’s scheme which funds elderly residents to stay in their own homes rather then go into residential care.  That gives them the dignity and independence they deserve as well as delivering savings on the health and social care budgets.  I am sure he will find the visit interesting.”

There will be an opportunity for local press to meet Mr Lansley at 3.00pm outside the main entrance of St Mary’s Hospital.

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