Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer has backed our call for more government funding and support – after a first tour of her local hospital.
Jill, elected into the role earlier this year, visited the University Hospital of Hartlepool last week.
She had the opportunity to speak to staff in departments including the urgent care service, the integrated single point of access and the midwife-led Rowan Suite, opened nearly a year ago.
She was also taken through the journey of a patient having planned surgery – including to the access lounge, the operating theatre and the joint replacement unit.
The hospital is the organisation’s centre for non-urgent surgery.
Our community deserves the very best healthcare
Julie Gillon, chief executive, who welcomed Jill to the hospital, said: “Our community deserve the very best healthcare we can provide.
“This is why we work so closely with all of our local MPs to champion our cause, campaign for the issues that matter most and to raise our profile.
“We are proud of the service we offer from our Hartlepool site – it is our centre of excellence for elective care.
“Over the last year we have also opened our midwife-led unit and we are running several extremely busy outpatient departments and education centre as well as so much more.
“The hospital is also a place for innovation – over the last year, for the very first time we carried out hip surgery as a day procedure for example.
“Jill supports us with our ambitions to continue to develop the site at Hartlepool as well as campaign for central government for new facilities and a new hospital for the organisation.”
Jill said: “I support all efforts to improve and expand the provision of healthcare services in Hartlepool. I am backing fully the bid made by the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust for a new hospital by 2030.
“This hospital should be in an equitable location for all residents north of the Tees.”