Tuesday, 19 November 2013

Labour to raise A&E closure in Council

The council's Labour Group is to table a motion against 'damaging' NHS reforms, amid growing concerns that Calderdale A&E department may be downgraded.

Last week's report by NHS medical director Prof Sir Bruce Keogh called for a dramatic reduction in the number of A&E departments, sparking fears that Calderdale could be one of those at risk.

The Labour Group have also criticised proposals to axe walk-in services and reduce the number of rapid response vehicles, and are calling for a 'long-term strategy' for the delivery of urgent and emergency care.

Cllr Simon Young (Ludd Foot), Cllr Adam Wilkinson (Sowerby Br), Josh Fenton-Glynn (Labour PPC Calder Valley), Yvette Cooper MP (Shadow Home Secretary), Cllr Dan Sutherland (Illing & Mix) at an NHS rally in Leeds city centre, held on 15th November.

Cllr Megan Swift said, "The decision to cut Calderdale walk-in services was short sighted and we have always felt it would add pressure to A&E. Now we face the even more worrying prospect of our A&E department being downgraded. Having to travel to Huddersfield for emergency care could cost lives."

The council motion also highlights a new NHS funding formula, which could see Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group lose out by as much as £25 million. Councillors from Calderdale joined senior Labour figures such as Ed Balls and Yvette Cooper at a rally in Leeds last week to call for a fairer funding deal.

Cllr Adam Wilkinson said, "The NHS in Calderdale is facing unprecedented challenges. Latest proposals could mean a further reduction of £25m in funding for our NHS services, whilst healthier, affluent areas in the South of England will get a funding increase. This is unacceptable and we have called on NHS England to think again."