Health is the key issue, says Maines

2.10.34pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 28th May 2003

Our challenge is to ensure that the new hospital meets and exceeds our expectations

Liberal Democrat Leader, Cllr Chris Maines, has declared that local health service is the key issue affecting the local community in Orpington and Bromley at the present time. "Our challenge is to ensure that the new hospital meets and exceeds our expectations," says Cllr Maines.

Bromley Council has a vital new role in scrutinising the local Health Service and Orpington Councillor Chris Maines will be sitting on the Council Committee looking in to the issue. The Liberal Democrats have appointed Cllr Maines as their Health spokesman in recognition of the key role the Council now has.

Commenting on the appointment, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, Cllr David McBride, said, "Chris has a long established reputation for campaigning on health issues locally. Now the Council has this new scrutiny role it we wanted to appoint someone with a specific role to keep an eye on health services locally. Chris was the obvious choice as he has already been involved in bringing reports to Council on the issue."

Cllr Chris Maines said, "The new PRU Hospital at Farnborough is a wonderful facility and it's our job to ensure it delivers the excellent care that local patients expect. We have started by tackling the accessibility problems and discussed the shortage of beds locally. Government decisions, by Labour ministers and especially by previous Tory Health ministers, are having a big impact locally. I will ensure Bromley Council uses it position to improve health care locally and monitors the health service providers.