Jon Cruddas MP has thrown his support behind Andy Walker's cross-party campaign for an increase in critical care beds in local hospitals. Queen's and King George's Hospitals are both in desperate need for more adult critical care beds. A recent FOI has suggested that there are currently too few beds which is having a negative impact on mortality rates and better quality recoveries. Critical care beds are needed not only for operations, but they are also essential to treat a range of conditions where there needs to be organ support.
Jon Cruddas MP commented "I'm delighted to get behind Andy Walker's campaign to increase the number of critical beds available in my constituents local hospitals. These beds are an essential aspect of emergency provisions within our hospitals and we must make sure the hospitals are properly equipped to deliver the best quality of care possible. I'd like to go on the record in thanking Andy Walker for his tireless work and campaigning for our local health services."
Critical care beds require more funds because they are more expensive than ordinary hospital beds. Within the BHR NHS Trust there are only fifty-two critical care beds. King George Critical Care unit, which contains eight beds, was full twelve times this February and Queen's Hospital was completely full for five of the days in February. There were three occasions where both Queen's and King George's Hospitals were full on the same days.
On Thursday 12 July, campaigners and local councillors will be hand delivering a letter to 10 Downing Street which will ask the government and the new Health Secretary, Matt Hancock MP, for more funding to provide these desperately needed critical beds. Unfortunately due to prior commitments in the constituency Jon Cruddas MP will be unable to attend but said "I wish everyone the best of luck on Thursday and I hope the government take action to supply our hospitals with this much needed equipment."