FOUNDATION HOSPITALS - DISMAY AS LABOUR MP BACKS CHANGES

24.11.03

Haringey's Lib Dems have expressed dismay that Hornsey and Wood Green's local MP helped the Government to their narrow victory in the controversial introduction of foundation hospitals last week. Lib Dem health spokesperson Cllr Neil Williams (Highgate) says the move is bad news for local hospitals such as the North Middlesex and the Whittington, with Barbabra Roche's failure to back rebels in the Government's narrow majority a let down for local residents and the health service in Haringey.

Lib Dems point out that other local MPs, such as Glenda Jackson (Hampstead and Highgate) and Frank Dobson (Holborn and St Pancras) backed efforts to remove the controversial Foundation Trust plans from the Government's Health and Social care Bill last week.

Cllr Neil Williams (Highgate) comments:

"With other London Health trusts first in line for foundation status, this change will leave our local NHS Trusts out in the cold, and will result in a period of uncertainly for the next couple of years. It is doubtful if local health services can plan properly for the future if other London trusts are in a position to act independently in the near future.

"This is a let down for our local NHS and those who rely on the health service in Haringey. With such a small government majority, Mrs Roche should have acted to stop such an unfair policy."

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