Conservative councillors in Lambeth and Southwark have slammed proposals to slash the amount spent on local health services by more than £20m. The cuts, which are set to affect the most vulnerable and needy residents in the area, have been rushed through with inadequate consultation in order to bail out neighbouring areas that have run up huge budget deficits in the latest chapter of the NHS cash crisis.
Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) across London have been ordered to make emergency savings within just 6 weeks, irrespective of whether or not they are within budget or not. This means that Lambeth and Southwark are
"Why should well-run PCT's within budget, such Lambeth and Southwark, have to bail out those who have overspent?" said Cllr Irene Kimm, Conservative spokesperson for Health.
"It is unacceptable that 3 local hospitals - Kings College, Guy's and St Thomas' - are being forced to axe so many services in such a short period of time to plug the ever-growing gap in the Labour government's NHS 'black hole'. To make matters worse, there has been little or no real consultation with users and partners who will be significantly affected and there has been inadequate consideration of the impact this slash and grab raid on services for Lambeth residents."
The services affected by the proposed cuts include:
- Reducing access to A&E departments
- Cutting the budget for prescription drugs
- Closing the emergency clinic for mental health patients
- Deleting several front line jobs, including posts that support people who suffer from learning disabilities and addiction
- Reduced number of bed 'days'
While the government has been quick to grab cash back from local NHS trusts, it has failed to answer the main questions about the future of the NHS in our boroughs.
- Why should the government create a regional authority that rewards those who mismanage their budgets at the expense of those who don't?
- What penalties will be imposed on overspending PCT's in the future?
- Or will Labour continue punishing well-run authorities in Lambeth and Southwark, making them bail out other PCT's who don't perform, just because it's easier?
Conservative councillors will press the Labour government until these questions have been answered, and take action to improve health services in the area, on behalf of local residents.
Weblinks
Lambeth Primary Care Trust (PCT)
LB Lambeth's Joint Health Scrutiny Committee web pages
Southwark Primary Care Trust (PCT)
LB Southwark's Joint Health Scrutiny web pages
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