BOROUGH MP Andrew Miller has demanded people stop 'talking down' the NHS.
Mr Miller hit out during an oral answers session on NHS performance in the House of Commons on Wednesday.
After listening to criticism of the health service from some politicians, he told them how he had used the service a few years ago during a heart scare.
Mr Miller explained: 'I am fed up to the back teeth with siren voices talking down the NHS.
'I have a lot to thank the cardiothoracic centre in Broadgreen Hospital and the Countess of Chester Hospital Foundation Trust for my health.
'And I have been looking around at the fantastic work that has been done on GP referrals for cancer patients in my constituency.
'The figure is now up to
99.9% - a fantastic result. Let us talk up the NHS.'
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt told him: 'My Honourable Friend is absolutely right.'
Mr Miller also asked about the potential impact of financial recovery plans instigated by the two primary care trusts covering Ellesmere Port & Neston and Chester.
He asked Ms Hewitt: 'On the PCTs in my area, will (she) ensure, as part of her commitment to the more disadvantaged areas, that there is no disproportionate slicing of resources from mental services in the recovery programmes?'
Ms Hewitt responded: 'I can assure (him) that there will be no disproportionate impact on mental health services.
'They are being treated exactly the same as other services.'
