Emma recently spent a day with staff and patients at New Cross Hospital. Accompanied by the Head Porter, Emma (pictured above with the head matron and a doctor at the new dementia ward) started the day in A&E and spent time in other departments including outpatients, the new dementia ward and the brand new on-site catering facility. She also met with the lead social worker employed by the City Council on the New Cross site.

 

Throughout the day, Emma had discussions with nurses, doctors, patients and other staff about the hospital and canvassed opinion about the Tory-led government’s proposed reforms of the NHS.

 

Emma also had meetings with the Chief Executive, other members of the senior management and the UNISON branch secretary. 

 

Emma said “I was very impressed by the high standards evident at New Cross Hospital and the commitment to patient care expressed by all the staff I met . The new dementia care ward is pioneering new methods of care which are extremely important as life expectancy increases and more people are living with dementia. I also saw the fantastic new catering service which is using new technology to ensure fresh, tasty and nutritious meals for patients. Many of the staff at New Cross are concerned about the Tory-led government's reforms, in particular in terms of private sector competition. These massive changes also produce much uncertainty at a time when the NHS currently faces growing financial pressures.

 

"This visit gave me a great insight and deepened my understanding of the enormous progress that has been made at New Cross Hospital.”

 

Emma has compiled a report on her visit for Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, John Healey, in order to bring ideas and opinions from those on the frontline to the Labour Party in opposition.

 

7 April 2011