Councillors unite to send clear signal to Patricia Hewitt (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Councillors unite to send clear signal to Patricia Hewitt

June 29, 2006 10:00 PM

City of York Councillors voted unanimously to support a Liberal Democrat motion calling on Patricia Hewitt to halt the cuts at the Selby and York Primary Care Trust.

There are fears amongst Councillors that if the Trust is forced to repay its entire £23.7 million deficit this year, residents will see a huge drop in health provision.

Cllr Sue Galloway (Lib Dem Executive Member for Adult Social Services) proposed the motion, and said "That the NHS is in turmoil cannot be disputed. I am moving this motion to underline the severity of the situation in which not only the Selby and York PCT finds itself, but also other PCTs in North Yorkshire.

"The fact of the matter is that the options for massive savings of the magnitude required are just not possible without wholesale closure of services and a dilution of the excellent provision we enjoy in North Yorkshire.

"The operating framework issued by the Department of Health in May does give the discretion for a Special Circumstances Designation in order for the money to be paid back over a longer period of time."

Cllr Sue Galloway, speaking after the meeting, said "I am delighted that there was all-member support for this motion, and I hope that Patricia Hewitt will take this on board and release the Primary Care Trust from the straightjacket of paying this debt within the year."

ENDS

The motion as accepted unanimously by City of York Council reads "City of York Council calls upon the Secretary of State for Health to halt the cuts at Selby and York Primary Care Trust, in order to protect the health of local residents."

The motion was supported by Lib Dem, Labour and Green groups.