Having returned to the backbenches, Alex wasted no time in raising the issue of Cheltenham General Hospital.
During a question session regarding ambulance services, Alex asked a junior minister:
"Cheltenham General Hospital’s A&E was saved from a Trust plan to close it, thanks to the fantastic support of more than 20,000 of my constituents. Does my hon. Friend agree that, in addressing the enormous challenge of the demands we face, capacity is important as well as flow through the system? [Does she agree that] in the light of that demand, the decision of the Trust, and indeed the Government, to keep Cheltenham’s A&E open has been vindicated?"
The Minister responded:
"I am pleased that my hon. and learned Friend is already seeing the benefits of the A&E in Cheltenham staying open. He is very modest—I am sure he played a significant part in ensuring that it stayed open. This is absolutely about capacity and there is no magic bullet that will make the pressures on the ambulance and emergency services any easier. This is multi-faceted and capacity at A&E is crucial. I am meeting the ambulance trusts to find out where good practice is making a difference, so we can help to share that across the country."
To watch Alex's question, please click HERE and fast forward to 14.47.