QUEEN ALEXANDRA HOSPITAL G5 WARD

That this House welcomes the campaign by `Keep G5 Ward', the Portsmouth News and Portsmouth Pensioners to re-open the G5 Ward at Queen Alexandra Hospital; notes that over 10,000 people have signed a petition urging that it is kept open; recognises the great value of the ward for the people of Portsmouth and South Hampshire; further notes with concern that Portsmouth's Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel has stated that closure of the G5 Ward represents a substantial change that has not been properly consulted on by the hospital management; and requests that the Secretary of State considers carefully the report of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel, to which he referred the closure, that the proper consultation is now conducted and that the G5 Ward remains open during this consultation period and in the long term.