Southport MP is right to demand apology for hospital 'closure' claim

Southport journalist Martin Hovden comments: Earlier this week I urged politicians to stop using Southport Hospital as a political football.

I said it was shameful that a campaign – supported by Labour/Liberal Democrat councillors and activists in the town - had been set up to oppose the CLOSURE of our hospital -  when in fact there is no such plan. 

This shameful lie was not only causing unnecessary worry to the frail and elderly in the town, but had caused great concern to the hospital's dedicated and hard-working staff.

I'm delighted to report that Southport Conservative MP Damien Moore (by the way I'm not bothered which party he belongs to) is now calling for a public APOLOGY from those behind the campaign and their political supporters.

Mr Moore (pictured) says: “One of the greatest challenges to our hospital, being located in a coastal town, is attracting medical professionals.

“It does Southport no service whatsoever when Labour and Liberal Democrat councillors, candidates and members support a group which is wrongly informing residents and staff that Southport Hospital is set to close. 

"It is in part due to these constant rumours of closure that our hospital is struggling in select areas, and is requesting support.”

He added: “If you were a nurse working a shift at the hospital and heard this news, how would you react? The idea that your job may soon be gone, having just worked flat-out during a pandemic, and the worry over the impact it would have on your family.

“If you were a doctor considering moving to our town to take up employment, how would you react when you read stories telling residents it is about to close?

“I have had hospital staff contacting my office asking how long they have before the hospital will shut down – and how long they have to plan for a move out of our town.

“I have had elderly residents who rely upon public transport to get to their medical appointments worried about how they will get to Liverpool or Preston ‘once the hospital closes’.

“It does a great disservice to our town – and our hospital – to peddle these lies, which are designed to stoke fear within our community.

“I am glad that the chair and the chief executive of Southport and Ormskirk Hospitals have both confirmed that there is no truth to the allegations. As the hospital chair Neil Masom has said, these claims are ‘disrespectful to the more than 3,000 people who work here’.

“I urge opposition parties and groups in Southport to reflect on their conduct, and attempt cleaner campaigning in the future.  I will continue to stand up for the fantastic people who work at our hospital.

“I call on the campaign group, and the councillors and candidates who were members of it, to apologise publicly.”

I totally agree with Mr Moore's comments – but judging by the response so far to our MP's demand for an apology, it's clear his opponents will refuse to admit the hospital closure claim is a lie, preferring to selfishly indulge in political point-scoring.

Shame on you.