Earlier today, I was sent a Labour Party press release, which attacked Princess Alexandra hospital. I believe that it is time for Labour to stop sending out these computer template press releases. They are bad for NHS morale, and spread misinformation and fear. Given that the latest one I have seen claims to be from the 'Labour candidate for Thurrock', not Harlow, perhaps a little bit more thought would be welcome - rather than just political opportunism.
Under Gordon Brown and Tony Blair we had 16 Health Acts and nine reorganisations. Deficits in Harlow's local NHS were at record levels. Residents won't forget the £700,000 deficit in Harlow's NHS Walk-In Centre for example. People will also remember that Labour wasted £6 billion on an NHS computer that didn't work - £100 wasted for every Harlow taxpayer - and signed up to contracts where it cost £300 to change a lightbulb.
By contrast, this Government's NHS reforms and extra investment have brought in an extra £24 million into our local health service. This is money that can be spent improving our A&E service - investment that was opposed by Labour.
Nationally, there are now 100,000 more patients treated every month. Britain now has 4,000 extra doctors and 4,000 fewer managers; more clincal staff; and the number of people in mixed-sex wards is down by 94 per cent. The number of people on long-term waiting lists has also hit record lows.
The Coalition Government's reforms are about stopping the waste, and putting our GPs and hospitals like Princess Alexandra Hospital in the driving seat, so thecan make the urgent improvements that we need.
In the East of England alone, scrapping the Strategic Health Authority will save at least £45 million a year, in lower administrative costs. This means at least £700,000 more in Harlow to invest in more nurses and doctors, including in Harlow. There is also a new Cancer Drugs Fund of £200 million a year to help cancer patients get greater access to cancer drugs that their doctors recommend for them. Mystifyingly, this is opposed by Labour.
Princess Alexandra Hospital have confirmed to me today that there have been no cuts in A&E. In fact, they have spent an extra £850,000 hiring new staff this year, including in A&E and emergency care. They have hired three extra consultants, and two more are on the way. They have hired more nurses; and vacancies are being filled all the time.
The facts about waiting times at Princess Alexandra are that more than 93 per cent of Harlow patients have been seen faster than four hours, this year. There have been a few 'problem days', I accept, when a lot of flu was going round. But Princess Alexandra are taking action. They have stepped up their urgent care centre, and are also doing much more through GP surgeries and pharmacies.
But let me repeat that there have been no cuts in A&E - for Labour to suggest this is completely wrong. Instead of knocking our hard-working hospital nurses and doctors, we should support them, and give them the extra powers and money they need to improve our NHS.
Your sums are wrong.
ReplyDeleteThere is not one 'NHS computer', rather there are many computers and systems within the NHS which have services provided by the NHS IT programme.
You mention £6billion on the "NHS computer" as equivalent to £100 for every Harlow taxpayer. £6billlion is roughly £100 for every UK citizen; rather more for every taxpayer.
Also, whilst there has undoubtedly been much waste within that £6 billion, there are some excellent IT systems it has produced.
You would be better attacking the failures and wrong-headedness of the National Programme for IT with some better quality thinking and writing.