Frustration as Health Secretary refuses to address lobby

Date published: 18/01/2007

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has spoken about the Parliamentary Lobby in Parliament that took place this week.  The Lobby featured protesters campaigning against cuts at over twenty hospitals in the country from all three main political parties.  Amongst protestors were doctors, nurses and health workers – all campaigning against the closure of vital services at their local hospital.

Paul Rowen said: "This was a useful opportunity for campaigners across the country to join together with one main aim – to let MPs know that it is unacceptable that hospitals are losing key services.  The difference between this lobby of Parliament and when we went last year was that this time we were joined by over 200 people from across the country.  This was a stark reminder of how this Labour Government policy of centralising health services is affecting the country.  Now 60 areas are affected and the Prime Minister and Health Minister Patricia Hewitt refuse to listen to our concerns.  This was brought home by Patricia Hewitt’s refusal to address the lobby in Westminster Hall - she decided to meet personally only 6 specially selected protesters.  The lobby was successful in that it showed illustrated the point that the Government’s assertion that these were locally made decisions is a sham – they are determined nationally that was clear from the lobby."

Paul also singled out Midwife Carol Ashworth-Lord for special praise after she spoke in her eloquent, passionate way defending services at Rochdale Infirmary.  Mrs Ashworth-Lord was joined by Councillors Jean Ashworth, Ashley Dearnley and Jane Gartside as well as other members of the Friends of our Hospital including Angela Slater and Vera Hirst. 

Mr Rowen said: "It could not have been easy speaking in front of all those people in the historic Westminster Hall but Carol was first class.  She has been one of the most outspoken critics of plans to remove Child Care and Maternity from Rochdale Infirmary and as a Midwife she should know.  She praised the maternity unit at Rochdale and spoke of her shock at the decision and spoke of the need to have a health service that reflects the needs of our community."

Two hundred people came from twenty different counties and told of their overwhelming opposition for the reorganisations from Penzanze to Penrith. Sadly, what's happening in Rochdale is not unusual.