Regionalised Health Care - Another Blow to Local Services

3.19.10pm GMT Thu 7th Dec 2006

Julia Goldsworthy MP and Andrew George MP Campaigning for Cornwall's NHS

Cornish MPs have expressed their alarm at the prospect of regional healthcentres to replace local hospital services.

Government advisers on healthcare have today (Tuesday) published reports advocating the regionalisation of healthcare. Leading UK clinicians and the Institute of Public Policy Research have argued against local services in favour of regional super-specialist centres.

The news comes during the MPs' continuing campaign to safeguard Cornwall's NHS against Government cuts.

Commenting, MP for Truro & St Austell Matthew Taylor said:

"The Government are oblivious to the needs of areas like Cornwall, where long distances and underdeveloped transport links can make travelling very difficult. Replacing local healthcare with regional services in an area as large as the South West would be ridiculous. To expect an unwell individual and their family from Camborne or Truro, for example, to travel to somewhere like Exeter or Plymouth for treatment is completely unacceptable.

"What is the point of commissioning these types of reports when you are not listening to local people? What Cornish people want is local services that are close-by and easy to get to in an emergency. They want their loved ones to be able to visit them during long and difficult hospital stays. They want to know that treatment is adequately funded to provide good quality services. The Government should be finding ways to support local healthcare services, not cut them."

MP for Falmouth & Camborne Julia Goldsworthy added:

"Cornwall is clearly not suited to a regionalised healthcare service. Our geographical remoteness means that vital accident and emergency services need to be delivered within the County so that lives are not put at risk by increased journey times.

"Instead of regionalising the service, the Government should look at ways of supporting local community hospitals which take the pressure off hospitals like Treliske."