'GMB Union at South Tyneside Hospital'

Taking questions from staff at South Tyneside General Hospital is perhaps the last place you'd expect to find an Education Minister, but that's exactly where David Miliband, Minister for School Standards was this week.

Dawn Davis, an official with the GMB base at the Hospital, invited David Miliband in his role as MP for South Shields to address GMB members and answer their questions about the Health Service, and give his views on NHS developments and how they will affect South Tyneside.

David Miliband said

"I was very pleased to meet GMB members today and to hear their views. Many of the people I spoke to were hospital orderlies and domestic staff, who are often ignored.

I was particularly pleased to hear that their efforts have made South Tyneside Hospital the cleanest hospital in the country"