Hugh stands up for LOCAL services

HUGH ROBERTSON QUESTIONS SECRETARY OF STATE OVER FUTURE OF SERVICES AT THE KENT AND CANTERBURY

Hugh Robertson has today written to the Secretary of State for Health over the future of prostate and bladder cancer services at the Kent and Canterbury hospital. This intervention follows the decision to move these services to Maidstone from the end of 2006.

Hugh was born in the hospital and his letter to the Secretary of State is attached. He said:

“Following the long battle to save the Kent and Canterbury Hospital which involved so many local people, it is deeply disappointing to see services being taken away so quickly. I believe this runs entirely counter to the Secretary of State’s decision to retain a full range of local services at Canterbury.

“Given that the government’s new body, the Strategic Health Authority, has authorised these cuts, I want the Secretary of State to intervene, uphold Labour’s manifesto commitments and reverse these moves.”