NHS closures rigged in Labour voting constituencies

Last week saw the outcome of consultations over £40 million worth of NHS cutbacks and closures in Gloucestershire. Labour voting Gloucester sees new hospital facilities and Labour voting Stroud saw it’s maternity hospital remaining. Lib Dem voting Cheltenham saw the closure of it’s maternity, vascular surgery, urology and gynaecology departments with the aim of closing the A& E department as well as the closure of Delancey Hospital. Conservative voting Tewkesbury, Forest of Dean and Cotswold constituencies see the likely closure of their local hospitals in Winchcombe, Dilke and Lydney. Coincidence? No.

On 15 Sep 06 Health Direct noted that Labour targets NHS hospital cuts away from marginal constituencies as Labour may be trying to target hospital cutbacks in areas where rival parties have seats when Hazel Bears met Patricia Hewitt to discuss NHS cutbacks and clousres.

And to cut down on pesky costly midwifery services, all routine IVF treatment will also be stopped in Gloucestershire. Oh and ambulance transfers may become chargeable.

Protestors have campaigned heavily against the cuts since the proposals were made in May. More than 30,000 people took part in a rally in Cheltenham in July and a petition was sent to Westminster.

A nurse from Cheltenham's maternity unit said: "I'm disappointed to lose the consultant-led unit but glad to retain a midwife-led unit but I feel it's a bit of an after thought."

The full disgraceful story of NHS political cutbacks can be read at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/5368790.stm