MP's 'wonderful' meeting with staff at Butler Green House

Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon made his first constituency visit since lockdown began in March, to Chadderton’s Butler Green House.

The site, located off Wallis Street in south Chadderton, provides enhanced intermediate care for those with short-term care needs; whether it be upon discharge from the hospital for rehabilitation or to regain independence or an admission from the community when a hospital setting isn’t the right fit.

Whilst visiting BGH, Mr McMahon saw the hard work and dedication of the multi-disciplinary team.

After the visit, he said: “It was wonderful to meet with frontline NHS staff at Butler Green.

"They have been working around the clock to support out community throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and they’ve done so with real compassion.

“I heard some incredibly touching personal stories from staff where they have supported local people and their family members in their hour of highest need.

"Without a doubt our frontline healthcare workers are the very best of us.

"I am glad they’re starting to get the recognition they deserve.

"It’s about time they get a pay increase that they deserve too.

“At the start of this pandemic the government let our care workers and care system down.

"We urgently need to protect our key workers, like those here at Butler Green, by implementing a national plan to ensure supply chains are developed that guarantee PPE to all key workers and publish a plan to deal with the Winter flu season.

"It is likely that this year’s flu season will put our NHS under an even greater strain than usual.”

Vicki Elcock, Head of Services, Urgent Care at Butler Green House, said: “I’m delighted that Jim chose to come and visit Butler Green House as his first outing.

"We’re all grateful that he came to visit us and talk to the staff about our experiences over the last few months.

“This pandemic has been hard on all of us here.

"Staff have had to deal with an immense amount of change in such a short period of time and it’s permanently changed the way we will work going forward in some cases.

“So, thanks to Jim for coming down and listening to our stories and experiences.

"I know all our staff appreciated the visit and his thanks too.”

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