Breaking New Ground for Healthcare in Newcastle East
Newcastle East MP Nick Brown today ‘broke the turf’ on the construction of the world leading Institute of Transplantation at the Freeman Hospital. The £30m project will increase the number of transplantations in Newcastle per year by 53%.
Nick said: “If you need an organ transplant, there is no better place to live than Tyneside. I am really proud of the work done at the Freeman Hospital. The new facility is going to be world class and will underpin Newcastle’s standing in the medical world.”
Earlier this year, the Department of Health released figures that showed the shortest waiting list times in NHS History. The Health Service has benefited enormously over 12 years of Labour Government from record investment, which has improved patient care, cut waiting times and increased staff numbers.
And the North East Strategic Health Authority continues to be the best in the country. In the Healthcare Commission’s yearly health check ratings, 21 out of 23 NHS organisations in the North East were rated either ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ for quality, receiving the UK’s very highest score at 91%.
Nick Brown said “East Newcastle has benefited from an NHS that has been reinvigorated in recent years; long waiting lists are a thing of the past, patient satisfaction is up and a whole range of new facilities such as the Freeman Hospital’s new transplant unit ensure that patients can feel confident in, and proud of their local Health Service”.
Nick also welcomed the Department of Health’s announcement that hospital car parking charges will be phased out over the next three years. The move will make it easier for family members to visit their relatives when they need them most.