Letter calls for action on ‘devastating’ NHS cuts
STOCKPORT NHS Watch has written an open letter to all local councillors urging them to do something about the ‘devastating’ NHS cuts.
The letter, dated November 2 2016, is centred around NHS cuts in the local area. These cuts are part of a national drive to enable the NHS to make £22 billion cuts by 2020 by dismantling the NHS in 44 ‘footprints’.
It is made clear from the start of the letter that these cuts will have a devastating impact on residents who rely on NHS services.
It says: “A health service in financial crisis is being forcibly married to social services that have been subjected to even more serious cuts and are already denying clients essential support.
“The plan put forward by Stockport Together will lead to rationing of healthcare and privatisation of services. All of this is taking place with minimal public consultation and none of the plans were in any election manifesto.
“The aim to keep patients out of hospital, and to reduce consultant and GP appointments, which lies at the heart of the Stockport strategy means that many seriously ill people will find it increasingly difficult to receive the expert care they need for diagnosis and treatment. At the same time, huge, disruptive and untried innovations are being implemented.”
The letter goes on to explain that ‘Stockport has been offered an incentive £20 million over several years in ‘transitional funding’ on condition that it follows government guidelines. Since, however, the Stockport Together and Locality Plan involves a real terms cut of £130 million in health and social care in the years up to 2020, it hardly seems like a good deal’.
NHS Watch concludes with a plea to the councillors to ‘show courage, independence, and commitment to the health of the citizens whose interests they represent.’
“If they do not resist now, it will be too late,” it says.
“We are already on the way to the end of comprehensive healthcare, free at the point of need, available to all who need it. Once the NHS is gone it will be gone forever and sick people will face the nightmare of not being able to afford the treatment they need.
“Councillor, your choice between collaboration and resistance may be the most important decision you ever make.
“You owe it to the people of Stockport to do the right thing.”