Last week at Conservative Party Conference Anthony Mangnall, Totnes Conservative Party Candidate, took time to speak with Matt Hancock about our health service in the South West.
Their conversation followed Health Secretary's conference speech where he announced his Health Infrastructure Plan - 'the biggest hospital programme in a generation'. The Health Secretary's announcement will see forty new hospitals built across the the UK. For Devon and Dorset this will include community hospitals.
In his speech the Health Secretary stated that the 'era of blindly closing community hospitals was over.'
Anthony Mangnall welcomed Matt Hancock's speech and commitment to local hospital facilities, saying 'it is welcome news that we have a Health Secretary who understands the important role that local health facilities play in rural communities. Coupled with the huge investment committed to the NHS by this Government we can be sure to have an NHS that delivers long into the future.'
Anthony who has been consulting with local health groups in Dartmouth on the future Health and Wellbeing Centre discussed the areas local health needs with the Health Secretary. He also secured a commitment from the Health Secretary to come and visit the area and discuss the future of health services in rural communities. A date is due to be announced shortly for the Health Secretary to visit and it is hoped that local residents will take part in a public meeting.
You can see a video of Anthony's conversation with Matt Hancock here.