Change in NHS must meet patient needs - Campbell

12.51.38pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 16th Jan 2007

Commenting on today's lobby of Parliament about proposed changes in local health services Liberal Democrat Leader Menzies Campbell said:

"Every week there are protests up and down the country at the latest job cuts and hospital closures.

"Top civil servants have admitted that the future of local services is in the balance. With deficits getting worse, it is difficult to see how the situation can get better.

"No one believes that the health service should be frozen as it is, but patients have to be convinced that changes are driven by clinical need and are not a short term response to financial crisis.

In addition Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Secretary, Norman Lamb MP said:

"Any proposals for change should engage local people at an early stage and not simply present them with a sealed deal to be rubber stamped.

"The Government is guilty of ramming reforms through the NHS at a damaging rate, casting aside the opinions of health professionals and disregarding the wishes of local communities.

"We believe that local people should have a stronger voice in their local NHS. The key is to break the stranglehold of Whitehall and involve local people in the planning of their health services.

"The Government must give us back our NHS."

Applicability: this item refers to England and Wales. Due to devolution, detailed policy may be different in other areas of the UK.