Questions for Hospital & Police Bosses

11.26.00pm GMT Thu 1st Nov 2007

Last night, Lib Dem Group Leader Michael Headley questioned both the Bedfordshire Police Chief Constable and Bedford Hospital Chief Executive at a council meeting.

Michael Headley asked Bedford Hospital Chief Executive, Jean O'Callaghan, about the measures being taken to deal with superbug infections. This follows the recent annual figures that show that the hospital under achieved on its MRSA target and had the 13th highest rate of C. Diff infections in over 65s. In her reply, Jean O'Callaghan acknowledged that they were slower than perhaps they should have been in getting effective measures in place but that they were now tackling the problem successfully.

Michael Headley then questioned Chief Constable Gillian Parker following the recent performance report. Michael spoke in support of neighbourhood policing and the need for more local beat officers so that each could cover smaller areas. Michael also proposed that the Council should lobby the government over the £4m underfunding of Bedfordshire Police.