Huge 'Stop York NHS Cuts' campaign launched

1.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 12th Oct 2006

The campaign against York NHS Cuts is launched outside York District Hospital

York Lib Dems have launched a citywide campaign against cuts in local NHS services. 50,000 leaflets are being delivered to homes across the city asking residents to back a petition against health cuts.

The campaign will call on Patricia Hewitt, Secretary of State for Health, to act to safeguard the health of York's residents.

Cllr Madeleine Kirk, Parliamentary Spokesperson for York Outer said: "We are campaigning against these cuts on behalf of local residents. Many people have told me about their worries over the proposed cuts. It is clear that local MPs are not pushing this issue hard enough, and the government needs to hear our voices.

"Over the coming weeks, I will be collecting as many signatures as possible, to send a clear message to the government on health cuts.

"The root cause of local NHS problems is the governments constant meddling. It is not acceptable for the government to turn their backs on the people of York as our health services are slashed."

Cllr Andrew Waller (Deputy Leader of City of York Council) said:

"The proposed cuts in health care in York are serious: 200 job losses, 60 hospital bed cuts, 16 care bed cuts, plus delayed and refused operations and cuts to other health provision. All of these signal a huge reduction in available health care.

This will harm local people, especially those in vulnerable groups such as the elderly.

The government must act to safeguard the health of our city."

The Liberal Democrats would like the government to give the PCT more time to repay deficits, removal of the £1.6 million fine for ending the 2005-06 financial year in deficit, so that changes to health care provision can be introduced in a safe, sensible and planned manner