HC Deb 25 April 1980 vol 983 cc847-8 9.34 am
Mr. John Wells (Maidstone)

With your permission, Mr. Speaker, and that of the House, I beg leave to present a petition signed by very nearly 1,200 people who are resident in the catchment area for the thoracic surgery unit of Preston Hall hospital. This is a most excellent unit situated at the centre of the catchment area.

The London health planning consortium is threatening to abolish this unit and place a new unit in greater London at the extreme north-west corner of this catchment area.

People attending for thoracic investigation and then perhaps surgery have to attend hospital once for an investigation and a second time for surgery. This can be harrowing and a difficult time for friends to visit. If the unit were moved to the north-west corner, it would have a gravely adverse effect on the well-being not only of my constituents but of all those living in this great catchment area, which represents the whole county of Kent and some of Sussex.

People who suffer cancer of the lung and similar diseases and people who fear that they may be suffering from those diseases are not always in the most placid state of mind. It is, therefore, important that they should be protected. If this move is made, it will be for the convenience of the administrators.

Therefore, the petitioners petition as follows: To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled. The Humble Petition of persons resident in the catchment area for Thoracic Surgery at Preston Hall Hospital, Maidstone, Kent— Showeth that the present excellent Thoracic Surgery unit which is conveniently situated to serve the whole catchment area is liable to closure and replacement by a unit at the extreme end of that area. Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House direct that the Unit only be replaced by one of comparable excellence and geographic convenience. And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray. I beg to leave to present the petition.

To lie upon the Table.

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