Extra money for the NHS must mean end to planned cuts to the health service in Hinckley and Bosworth
Liberal Democrats in Hinckley and Bosworth are calling for part of the extra funding announced for the NHS to be spent on properly financing local health services in our area, halting the planned £20m of cuts by the CCG in 2018/19 and finally providing Hinckley with the walk-in health centre our growing community so desperately needs.
The government's announced a longawaited and much needed cash injection into the NHS, but this follows the West Leicestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) announcing recently that it needs to identify £20.5m of savings in 2018/19, on top of the £16.4m made in 2017/18 and £10.8m in 2016/17. In its document entitled 'Plans for 2018/19 and beyond' its Managing Director Toby Sanders stated 'This will mean that we may not be able to continue to provide the same levels of funding for local services that we have historically been able to afford' and 'We may have to make difficult and unpopular choices about the funding of our community services, primary care and the voluntary sector.'
Meanwhile, as part of the proposed changes to community health services in Hinckley and Bosworth, there are plans to reduce the number of hospital beds available in the town, and still no commitment to provide the walk-in centre which local Liberal Democrats have been calling for for many years. Hinckley County Councillor Michael Mullaney, who has campaigned for improved NHS facilities in the town and surrounding villages, says "Now the NHS is getting this extra cash it's absolutely essential that some of it is delivered to the Hinckley area.
"At present the Hinckley Hospital on Mount Road is facing closure with no replacement facility being offered. It's vital that our area gets the new facilities, like a walk-in centre, that local residents deserve.
"I and others will be watching to see if the Hinckley area gets its fair share of this NHS windfall."
Health campaigner and former Councillor for Barwell Mathew Hulbert says,"It's welcome that the Government has finally listened to Lib Dem campaigners and others and are delivering this extra money for the NHS, though much more is actually needed.
"It is essential that our local health services in Hinckley and Bosworth, which are seeing increased demand and harsh financial pressures as a result of government decisions, receive a significant and sustained cash injection as part of this newly announced funding.
"It's time for Theresa May and Jeremy Hunt to put their money where their mouth is and ensure patients in our area get the properlyfunded services and facilities they deserve."