Keighley and Ilkley MP Robbie Moore has again stepped up his campaign for a full rebuild of Airedale Hospital this week, holding a trio of high-level meetings with local and national healthcare leaders to lobby them for a new hospital.
The local MP held one-on-one meetings with the Health Secretary; Steve Barclay, Minister for the government’s new hospital programme; Lord Markham, and the Chief Executive of Airedale NHS Foundation Trust, Foluke Ajayi last week, with the local MP urging the government to provide the "necessary funds for a full rebuild".
Mr Moore says he outlined the “overwhelming” support for a new Airedale Hospital from his constituents to the ministers, adding a full rebuild of Airedale is needed “now more than ever” and vowing to “continue the fight” for the local hospital.
The meetings add to a growing list of campaign efforts from Mr Moore on his campaign for Airedale Hospital, with the local MP holding his own personal debate in Westminster on the urgent need for a full rebuild, he has asked two Prime Minister’s Questions on the issue, and meet personally with the Prime Minister and Chancellor to push the case.
Mr Moore’s has also presented the Prime Minister with a piece of aerated concrete taken directly from Airedale Hospital to underline the material's structural deficiencies.
Robbie Moore MP said:
“Since I started my campaign for a full rebuild of Airedale Hospital, I have held a personal debate in Parliament for a rebuild, used two Prime Minister’s Questions on the issue, attended numerous on-site visits and meetings with the Airedale NHS Hospital Trust and worked closely with the Trust to develop the plans for a new Hospital. Last year I also attended a meeting at No. 10 Downing Street where I presented the PM with a peice of aerated concrete to highlight its structural deficiencies.
Now more than ever, do we need a new Airedale Hospital, and over recent weeks I have been stepping up my campaign even further, holding three high level one-on-one meetings with top healthcare leaders to discuss the urgent need for a new Airedale Hospital. This included meetings with our Secretary of State for Health, Steven Barclay, the Minister for the new hospital programme, Lord Markham and Foluke Ajayi, chief executive of Airedale NHS foundation Trust.
I made it clear to the government that sticking plaster solutions are unacceptable, and that Keighley deserves the necessary government funding and support for this vital facility and its dedicated staff.”
