Prospective Winchester MP responds to latest stumble into Winchester health debate by neighbouring MP.
Prospective Winchester MP, Steve Brine, has responded strongly to claims by Romsey's Liberal Democrat MP that the Royal Hampshire County Hospital is 'living on the edge'.
A freedom of information request from last year by the MP has confirmed that Winchester's hospital was on "red alert" for a period last winter because of a shortage of beds and lack of staff.
A trust spokesman told the Hampshire Chronicle; "Hospitals are far busier in the winter due to increased prevelance of seasonal illness in the community. Last winter was no exception. However, the trust has robust plans to ensure that there is sufficient capacity for these peaks in demand."
Speaking in the Hampshire Chronicle, Steve Brine said; "High occupancy rates are worrying but sadly not unusual in the modern-day NHS. They make infection control harder and test the policy of single-sex wards to absolute breaking point.
"No-one is saying 'red alerts' are a good thing but we need to focus on the future and how we can improve our local hospital for the benefit of Winchester people. I think we need to look at the whole package of care available; at home, in the community and in hospital. Local authorities, such as Hampshire County Council play a vital role in overall picture because if one part of the system falls down it effects all others. I hope this interest in Winchester's healthcare from Mrs Gidley will lead to her support the next time Hampshire County Council make the case to Government that it is one of the worst funded county councils in the country, instead of playing party politics and attacking the Conservative-led council.
"The excellent staff at the RHCH need our support and practical local solutions not headline grabbing press releases from a neighbouring Member of Parliament."
Steve Brine also made it clear for the need to get Winchester & Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust into Foundation Status and "free from constant ministerial interference" as soon as safely and practically possible.
Mrs Gidley has been heavily criticised in the past for stumbling into moves to bring a second park-and-ride to Winchester and last year for an astonishing attack on local police officers after the shooting of an armed gang at a bank in Chandler's Ford.