Robert Jenrick MP to sit on health select committee

New Newark MP Robert Jenrick says his appointment onto the House of Commons Health Select Committee is the most relevant appointment to the constituency that he could have hoped for.

Mr Jenrick (Con) said: "Healthcare is a critical issue affecting everyone and particularly pressing in our own community with concerns about the long-term future of Newark Hospital, the performance of East Midlands Ambulance Service and the terrible legacy of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) deal hanging over Sherwood Forest Hospitals Trust.

"I want to be at the heart of healthcare policy and discussions and ensure that I am well informed and can influence key decision-makers in the NHS.

"With the committee, I will be involved in scrutinising the Department of Health and NHS and in looking at wider healthcare issues such as obesity, mental health, social care and raising complaints in the NHS.

"While I will be there to make inquiries of the secretary of state and the leaders of the NHS, it presents opportunities to ask questions personal to Newark.

"I hope back in the constituency, my being on the committee will give me more credibility with the CCG (service commissioner Newark and Sherwood Clinical Commissioning Group) and the trust (Sherwood Forest Hospitals which managed Newark and King's Mill hospitals) because they do need pushing harder by me and all local politicians."

Asked whether he had time as yet to form an opinion yet as to whether the minor injuries unit at Newark Hospital was sufficient to serve the area, Mr Jenrick said: "It doesn't seem right that 'green' non-acute cases are not being seen at Newark.

"For instance if you are young guy in good health who breaks an arm on a football pitch in Newark it doesn't seem right you're not seen at Newark."