Hospital Cuts Must Not Be Allowed To Affect Front Line Services (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

Hospital Cuts Must Not Be Allowed To Affect Front Line Services

November 11, 2004 11:45 PM

Cllr Mark Harris, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and Leader of Leeds City Council has described the news that Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust is considering closing 250 beds, closing four operating theatres as well as reducing staff posts as "a major blow for the people of Leeds" and "a condemnation of both the Government and the Trust's stewardship of health services in the City".

Speaking at a meeting at the Civic Hall last night Cllr Harris said "We have seen major investment in hospitals across Leeds in recent years, for which we are all grateful, but expenditure on bricks and mortar is useless if the money is not there to actually run the services. We cannot object to cuts in administrative staff if the Trust can make efficiencies, but to lose nursing posts, close wards, operating theatres, clinics and other front line services is a major blow for the people of Leeds.

"The Trust should have been aware of their financial status and budgetary problems in time to take much less drastic action, if they have been spending beyond their means without thought for the future then they have major questions to answer. But the problems must not be left purely at the Trust's door. The Government also has a key role here, as they are the purseholders at the end of the day. If the Government really cares about the health service for the people of Leeds they must act to ensure that frontline services are maintained, if necessary by providing additional funding.

"I will be writing to the Health Secretary, Dr Reid, expressing my concerns and asking him to assure the people of Leeds that frontline health services will not suffer, either this financial year or next. If he allows services to deteriorate then his actions will be seen as a condemnation of both the Government and the Trust's stewardship of health services in the City".