Health spokesman visits GOSH
13 October 2011
The Rt Hon Andy Burnham MP, shadow secretary of state for health, visited Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children today, his first hospital visit since returning to his health role..
He visited Cardiac Intensive Care and the cancer and leukaemia wards Lion and Elephant. He also held a private meeting with staff of all grades including union representatives.
Chief Executive Dr Jane Collins said “We’re always happy to show people what we do. We discussed the importance of the right decisions around cardiac surgery in children in the Safe and Sustainable review, and also organ donation. We were also able to discuss some of the challenges in children’s cancer and the research we undertake to address them.”
Mr Burnham met Aiden Davey (3) and mother Debbie from Romford Essex. Aiden is on Elephant ward receiving treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).
Dr Anupama Rao, consultant haematologist said “I discussed with Mr Burnham the difference between acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and ALL. There is a 30% difference in outcomes and we need funding for research for new targeted drugs and therapies in AML, so we can see the improvements in care we have seen for other leukaemias.”
Andy Burnham MP, following the visit, said:
"There could be no better place to do my first visit in the new job than Great Ormond Street Hospital. Day in day out, they give hope to parents facing the most unimaginable difficulties. GOSH and it's inspirational staff are a great example of our wonderful NHS at it's very best".
Great Ormond Street Hospital is the largest UK centre for children with heart conditions, and in partnership with UCLH, the largest UK centre for children with cancer.
Contact information:
GOSH-ICH Press Office: 020 7239 3125
Email: Coxs@gosh.nhs.uk
For genuine and urgent out of hours call speak to switchboard on 020 7405 9200
Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust is the country’s leading centre for treating sick children, with the widest range of specialists under one roof.
With the UCL Institute of Child Health, we are the largest centre for paediatric research outside the US and play a key role in training children’s health specialists for the future.
Our charity needs to raise £50 million every year to help rebuild and refurbish Great Ormond Street Hospital, buy vital equipment and fund pioneering research. With your help we provide world class care to our very ill children and their families.
