Keetch Appears On Launch Of New BBC Political Programme

12.00.00am GMT Wed 8th Jan 2003

Paul Keetch, Member of Parliament for Hereford, today appeared on the launch programme of the prestigious new BBC political programme, The Daily Politics, which chose Hereford constituency as its first port of call.

Commenting on his concerns for Hereford, Mr Keetch outlined, three major problems for his constituency,

"Hereford has some serious problems; traffic congestion is acute, although the traffic is moving quite quickly over the Wye Bridge today thankfully; flooding, particularly from the River Wye is causing much distress to vast numbers of my constituents and, the lack of beds at Hereford's new County Hospital is a major problem that needs addressing."

On the position of the County Hospital, which has been funded by the new Private Finance Initiative, Mr Keetch blasted the management of the Hospital Trust, who refused to make a comment for the programme:

"Prior to becoming an MP I had involvement in the development of the new hospital and felt that the number of beds being allocated would be insufficient. I have been proved right and the reality is that the hospital is just far too small, today the hospital is closed for admissions once again and this is a regular occurrence. Medical professionals grow more and more frustrated with the situation and have aired their concerns to me."

"The Hospital is just not providing the service it ought to, and with a threat of a further loss of ninety beds, the situation is going to get far worse. The management of the hospital are answerable to the public and should be commenting on their plans and how the matter is being handled."

"I think it is outrageous that nobody from the Trust would be interviewed for the programme. The public will only assume now that they have got something to hide."