"MAYOR'S BALL"

1.54.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 6th May 2003

Dr Jenny Tonge, MP for Richmond Park, gave the vote of thanks to the fundraisers of Kingston Can at the Mayor's ball at Sandown Park on Saturday May 2nd.

Kingston Can is the new cancer centre at Kingston Hospital which will be dedicated to Sir William Rous, the previous chair of Kingston Hospital Board, who himself died of cancer two years ago.

After praising the fundraising organiser of the charity, Ian Pay, and all the people who were raising money, Dr Tonge welcomed the previous Chief Executive John Langan to the ball and thanked him for all his hard work and dedication over 20 years for the people of Kingston and patients at Kingston Hospital.

She said he was still sorely missed by everyone but wished him every success for the future.

For further information please contact Jenny Tonge on 07699 734 071 or Serena Hennessy on: 020 8332 7919

Notes for Editors:

There was a huge storm last autumn when it was announced that John Langan was leaving, it is thought after differences with the new Strategic Health Authority and its Chief Executive Julie Dent. An interim Chief Executive was put into post without any advertisement or shortlising. Local MPs Ed Davey and Jenny Tonge called for the resignation of Julie Dent, but to no avail.

Two reasons for dissatisfaction were given:

1. Long waits in A&E, due to bed shortage

2. Overspend on Kingston Hospital's budget

Since the appointment of the new C.E 31 new beds have been opened and A&E waiting times have reduced. The overspend is declared due to the closure of Queen Mary's Hospital Roehampton and Kingston Hospital having to take over its patients.

Both of these solutions were requested by John Langan, Ed Davey and Jenny Tonge in the two years before his departure.