Nigel spoke in the House of Commons on the opening of the Clitheroe Community Hospital and asked the Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, the Secretary of State for Health, to visit the Ribble Valley and see the new facility.
Speaking to the Secretary of State in the chamber Mr Evans said, ‘Will the Secretary of State come to Clitheroe to have a look at this brand-spanking-new hospital, which is being welcomed by the local community, and to say thank you to the staff there for all they do? If he does so, I promise to take him for a pint of healthy real ale afterwards in the Campaign for Real Ale pub of the year in Pendleton in the Ribble Valley, to celebrate the opening of the new hospital.’ In response the Health Secretary said ‘I must say that sounds like a pretty irresistible offer, and I will give it careful consideration. Local community hospitals have an important role to play in our NHS because of the high standard of compassionate care they deliver.’
Speaking from Westminster after the debate Mr Evans said, “I was encouraged by the response I received from the Health Secretary and look forward to him visiting the Ribble Valley. More importantly I am very pleased at the opening of the Clitheroe Community Hospital. The area has for some time been crying out for more health facilities and it is high time the hospital was opened.’’