Emergency debate used to highlight Northampton's funding crisis

10.20.44am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 20th Sep 2006

"The crisis has come out of constant re-prioritisation and reorganisation when what is needed is a period of stability". said Andrew Simpson

Andrew Simpson, Lib Dem Parliamentary spokesperson for Northampton North will today use an emergency debate at the party's Annual Conference in Brighton to raise the problems caused in Northampton by the cuts to health and social care services in the town.

"The Lib Dems believe we are now facing a major crisis in the NHS caused primarily by the Government clawing back last year's overspends and so have put it on the agenda as an emergency debate" said Andrew

"We face a double -whammy in Northampton as not only does Northampton General Hospital have to find some £20 million cuts to services but the Conservative controlled County Council pulls the rug from under people's feet by closing vital respite care facilities in the County. This makes a complete mockery of the Governments proposal to're-model' services within the community."

Lib Dems have long called for devolved decision making for local NHS services and for less Government interference in terms of target setting and central management.

"The crisis has come out of constant re-prioritisation and reorganisation when what is needed is a period of stability. The Government instead of clawing back overspends should be investigating why they have occurred "continued Andrew.

The Lib Dems will debate NHS in crisis at 17.30pm on Wednesday where Andrew hopes to contribute with the perspective from Northampton.

Ends

Related Link:

Click here to read Andrew's full speech.