NHS staff demoralised by Government's rushed reforms - Webb

3.52.04pm GMT Wed 1st Nov 2006

Speaking ahead of the 'NHS Together' lobby of Parliament tomorrow, Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Steve Webb MP said "This lobby will show the depth of opposition within the NHS to the Government's rushed reforms that are causing so much damage.

"The NHS depends on the dedication of its staff who work hard to provide a high standard of care in an increasingly demoralising environment.

"The job cuts confirmed by the Government this week are only the tip of the iceberg - how many jobs have been lost to recruitment freezes and compulsory retirement?

"We will not see the true level of job losses across the NHS until hospitals have finished consulting on their reconfigurations. Ultimately it is patient care which will suffer through these cuts in services and staff."