Lib Dems submit response to NHS consultation on the future of local hospital services
February 15, 2006 11:20 AM
Campaign to save local hospital services
Kirklees Liberal Democrat Group has submitted their response to the NHS Consultation Paper "Looking to the Future" (dated October 2005) supporting the retention of surgical, gynaecology, children's and maternity services at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and urging the Primary Care Trusts and NHS Trusts to reconsider their proposals.
Cllr Shahida Awan, (Lib Dem, Crosland Moor & Netherton) said, "We have a number of concerns about the proposed changes which can't be ignored and we have taken full advantage of this opportunity to raise these with the bodies involved."
Cllr Awan went on to say, "Many of the proposed changes seem to work in favour of the NHS Trusts at the cost and inconvenience of the service users which I don't think is right. The overall logic of the proposals to myself and others also doesn't add up. The Government's Neighbourhood Statistics website indicates that there is a greater demand from residents requiring a stay in hospital in Kirklees than in Calderdale. If there is a greater demand in Kirklees, which also has a significantly higher population than Calderdale, surely this would mean that extra investment was needed in Kirklees to provide for that demand and not the other way around".
Cllr Wilkinson said, "The issue of transport, which has been a major factor of concern for the people of Kirklees, has not yet been adequately addressed. There is also a question mark over whether the Calderdale site can actually accommodate the increased number of vehicles that the changes would bring. With the additional travel and parking problems adding to the complexities of visiting the hospital for treatment in the first place, there has been little said about how the PCT's and NHS Trust are planning to actually help patients cope with these additional pressures.
Until these and many other issues contained in our response have been addressed and proper answers given, we cannot support the proposals as they currently stand."
For further information and interview contact:
Councillor: Shahida Awan 07859 057984
Councillor: Linda Wilkinson 01484 420130
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats