Consultation needed over key decisions on our health
THE subject of the recent correspondence with Anne Barnes (Your Views, 21 September, 28 September) was discussed at a public meeting in Stockport, September 29, organised by Stockport NHS Watch.
The following resolution was put to the audience: “We are strongly opposed to current and future cuts at Stepping Hill Hospital.
“We are dismayed that major changes and reductions in health services in Stockport are being imposed without the public being given a chance to know about them, discuss them and give their views.
“We call upon Stockport CCG, Stockport Council and Stockport Foundation Trust to share with the public full details of all planned reductions in health and social care services - such as the Financial Improvement Plan at Stepping Hill, the 50 per cent reduction in outpatient appointments and the 30 per cent reductions in GP appointments within the Stockport Together programme, the £101 million Cost Improvement Programmes at the CCG, council and Foundation Trust and the ‘much reduced hospital’ referred to by Ann Barnes, chief executive
“The CCG, council and Foundation Trust should immediately arrange public consultations, which are required by law. We insist that such consultations should be genuine and widely accessible, and that the public should be listened to.”
The resolution was passed unanimously, with no dissenters among the 90-strong audience
Given the strength of opinion, is it possible that the bodies responsible for making key decisions about the health of the people of Stockport will now be more candid with the public? Theresa Tallis Chair Stockport NHS Watch Swansea to say I was seen in Manchester driving my car without road tax and I may receive a £80 fine or at worse the car crushed.
I checked the form V11 that had been sent to me and I just filed it away as it said amount to pay £00.
I tried to telephone Swansea but to no avail, I then contacted the garage where I purchased the car. They informed me that I still had to inform the DVLA so using the form V11 I put in the sixteen digit number and it said the car did not exist.
I was very confused so I went to the police station who, on checking their records said the car did exist and belong to me.
I returned home and phoned Swansea, this time I managed to speak to a human being who informed me that because of the time lapse the V11 would not recognise my vehicle and I had to use the log book to tax my car which I duly did, no money changed hands and I received a message back, car tax completed.
Surely the form should read register your vehicle as I was always aware that tax is tax and you paid a monetary amount. P A Clarke Hazel Grove