Campaigns

Drop the Bill

Local Labour Party Crown campaigner Andy Marshall writes to local newspapers about the perils of the Coalition's Health Bill currently going through Pariliament.

Dear Sir

I was horrified, yet not exactly surprised to learn that the number of patients in Warwickshire waiting for more than 18 weeks for treatment has risen by 99% since May 2010. (Source NHS Annual 'Operating Framework' http://www.dh.gov.uk/health/2011/11/operating-framework/ document published on 24 November 2011). The Tories’ dropping of targets and their cuts in funding were always going to mean ill people waiting longer but even I did not think that this number would almost double.
 
What is even more outrageous is that the same Ministry of Health document shows that £31,892,686 has been set aside in Warwickshire for the costs of the much criticised reorganisation promoted by the Tories, and passively accepted by their Lib Dem allies. Surely this money would be better spent on employing more doctors and nurses and getting people treated rather than creating new structures which most health professionals see as the final death knell for the NHS.
 
It is not too late to stop this reorganisation. There are two national petitions 'Drop the Bill' and the Government e-petition calling on the Government to drop its Health and Social Care Bill. Please do sign these and together we can ensure that NHS funds are spent on patient care not endless restructures