HUGH ROBERTSON ATTACKS PROPOSED HEALTH REORGANISATION AS A DISASTER FOR KENT

Hugh Robertson has attacked the proposed health reorganisation of Kent as a disaster for the county. He has also replied to the formal consultation and a copy of his letter is attached.

Hugh said: “The proposals to extend the boundaries of the Strategic Health Authority and the Ambulance Trust beyond Kent will be a disaster for the county. Kent is a large enough county, with its own particular needs, to justify its own services.

“This is all part of a silly and unnecessary political game, led by John Prescott, to diminish the role of traditional shire counties and introduce regional government by the back door. Labour promised us that everyone would get the opportunity to vote on this before it was put into action. However, despite the fact that there has been no vote and the certain knowledge that it would be heavily defeated if it was ever put to the ballot box, the government is pressing ahead anyway.

“Taking health services further away from the point of delivery will damage provision and be a disaster for Kent.”