Targets in NHS cause 'sausage factory' service say Lib Dems

10.00.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sat 16th Dec 2006

"We are urging residents to sign our petition to the health secretary about the Northampton NHS cuts"

Lib Dem MP for Oxford West & Abingdon, Dr Evan Harris, was in Northampton on Saturday to support Andrew Simpson's campaign against the funding cuts to local NHS services. Dr Harris attended a meeting of residents and campaigners at Parklands Community Centre where he heard how people are being affected by the cuts on NHS services as well as those from the County Council on respite and social care services.

"Like my own constituency people are being hit but the Government's restrictions on hospital spending" said Evan "This has turned many services into 'sausage factories' where meeting health targets are more important that the individual needs of the patient. This means that with day surgery people could find themselves sent home when they just aren't ready to go home or have nobody there to care for them".

Andrew Simpson, Lib Dem Parliamentary Candidate for Northampton North has launched a petition against the cuts to local NHS services, he said "It is important we make clear to this Government that it is their constant meddling in the NHS which is causing financial difficulties not the health care professionals".