Representatives of the local Labour Party met with Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt MP during her visit to Cornwall on Tuesday 14 November.Labour Party members involved in local health service campaigns welcomed the announcement of £17 Million from the Strategic Health Authority to ease RCHT’s financial deficit this year; and the news that St Michael’s Hospital at Hayle will stay open and make a vital contribution to future NHS services. 

Speaking after the meeting Candy Atherton said “We were all pleased that St Michael’s is to stay open and for the frank discussion we were able to have with the Secretary of State.  The extra money found to ease the problem is to be welcomed and now it is time for serious politicians to get involved in the review of health services in Cornwall. Patricia Hewitt was making sensible proposals and we should all now get involved in seeking solutions to difficult problems.”

Charlotte MacKenzie said: “We had a good opportunity to make Cornwall’s case for NHS services which meet local needs. The Health Secretary clearly expects Cornwall’s NHS Trusts to develop services which provide more local access to treatment, including on a day care basis. I hope the current strategic review by the Primary Care Trust will really move this forward.” Truro and Falmouth Labour Party support UNISON’s campaign to save local jobs in the NHS.

Charlotte Mackenzie added: “The additional £17 Million gives RCHT more time to tackle their financial management problems. They now appear to be listening to the strong local opposition to some of the proposals they were considering, including outsourcing of some secretarial work. It’s disappointing that Lib Dem county councillors on the health and social services scrutiny committee voted to support the closure of local wards and operating theatres.” 

Picture: Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt MP with former Falmouth and Camborne MP Candy Atherton, Charlotte MacKenzie, Nick Round and Graham Webster.