MP calls for resignation of communications chief (From This Is Cheshire)

MP calls for resignation of communications chief

10:20am Saturday 11th February 2012 in News

WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones is calling for the man in charge of the vascular services consultation to be removed after ‘shameful’ comments about Warrington Hospital.

Martin McEwan, director of communications and engagement for NHS Cheshire, Warrington and Wirral, said ‘patients are being killed at Warrington Hospital’ during a meeting last month over the proposal to move vascular services from Warrington to Chester.

Mrs Jones said: “It is outrageous that the person in charge is clearly biased and prepared to make such shameful comments in public.

“The consultation should not be run by someone who is clearly prejudiced against our hospital.”

She added Mr McEwan should apologise and an ‘impartial person’ appointed to carry out the consultation process.

Mr McEwan said: “During a vigorous discussion, I did make a clumsily worded reference to the Dr Foster report on the mortality rates for vascular surgery carried out in trusts that undertake relatively low numbers of complex procedures.

“Had Mrs Jones been present at the meeting she would have heard that this was not referring specifically to Warrington Hospital, but to all hospitals which only undertake a small number of procedures.”

He added he had apologised and reworded his comment to explain more lives could be saved with a specialist arterial centre.

l See more about vascular services on page 26.