Lib Dems Take Fight For New Malvern Hospital To Whitehall

6.34.55pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 4th Sep 2006

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt, will deliver a message to Health Secretary, Patricia Hewitt when he visits the Department of Health in Whitehall next week, calling on her to release community hospitals cash to help build a new community hospital in Malvern.

Richard will be joined by Leader of Malvern Hills District Council, Cllr Di Rayner, when he presents a letter with supporting petitions from across the district calling for Malvern to be given top priority for government cash.

Richard visited South Worcestershire Primary Care Trust for talks earlier this summer and pledged to campaign for support for the extra government money.

"I am delighted that the PCT has applied for a share of the £150million to be released during this financial year and I will be taking the strongest support from hundreds of Malvern district residents who have given their backing through our own newspaper and website campaign.

"We believe that Patricia Hewitt must now put her money where her mouth is and make Malvern a top priority when it comes to sharing out the cash available for community hospitals during the current financial year.

"Money for Malvern now could make all the difference to the quality and affordability of a PFI contract for the new community hospital," said Richard Burt.

"Ministers must also remember that people living in predominantly rural areas have no choice when they need hospital care - that is why Malvern must have a modern, well-equipped community hospital for the future," said Di Rayner.