PRESS STATEMENT
23rd July 2001

A meeting took place last week at the Department of health in London between Health Minister Hazel Blears and a three-man delegation from West Cornwall comprising Andrew George M.P., Jim McKenna (Chief Executive of Penwith District Council) and Joe McKenna (member of ). This meeting was held to discuss the widespread public concern about the West Cornwall Hospital Services Review, and the secret meeting planned for Tavistock in Devon at the end of July. Following the meeting Hazel Blears stated:
"What we have here is a community who are feeling vulnerable. They need to have confidence in the Review. Tensions should be avoided at all costs by those in charge of the Review and I feel that holding such a meeting in another county only adds tension. It seems to me that this is a case of shooting oneself in the foot."
She went on to say that from what she had heard during the meeting, she was now extremely concerned with the Review Team's lack of engagement, especially with the local authorities and their apparent failure to keep the authorities fully in the picture. She however stated that she was unable to interfere in the Review process without a specific request from either the Cornwall Community Health Council or the Cornwall County Council. Spokesman for , Joe McKenna, therefore urges the public to act now by writing in support to Jim McKenna at Penwith District Council. All letters received will be forwarded to the Community health council and the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust. The message is simple: DON'T MOVE IT - IMPROVE IT!