Keep our NHS local
Health is always a priority. So is keeping our services local and accessible.
Many of you will have been involved in the battle to keep A&E and maternity services in Hastings. I was proud to be part of that effort. I think it is fair to say that we have now won that battle and all that I hear suggests there is now no question of A&E or maternity being moved.
However, a new challenge now needs to be faced and I hope you will be able to play a part in the campaign.
A proposal has now been made by health authority management to merge our local health services (known as Hastings and Rother NHS) with those of the East Sussex Downs and Weald area.
Our local NHS is funded by the Government to provide local services like the Conquest Hospital and GP services. Because of the high levels of need in Hastings and Rye we get specially targeted funding. This means we get a lot more money per person than neighbouring areas.
If the merger went ahead the new East Sussex NHS would still get extra funding for our needs but there would be no guarantee that it would stay in the Hastings and Rother area. It could well be spent in the leafy glades of Wealdon despite being earmarked for us! I fought hard to avoid an all East Sussex PCT several years ago and I don't intend to sacrifice our needs now. We get the extra money because we need it and the targeted funds have made a real difference to health outcomes over the past few years.
If you believe that the NHS funding should stay local may I suggest that you write to Mike Wood, the Chief Executive of Hastings and Rother NHS to tell him your views. He can be contacted by emailing mike.wood@hastingsrotherpct.nhs.uk
The NHS is one of Britain's greatest achievements. A service that is available to all based on need - not ability to pay. From being on its knees in the mid 90s the NHS is now in better shape with more staff on the ground and new hospitals.
I want to commend the work done by local Healthcare professionals. Doctors, nurses and a whole range of support staff provide a generally excellent service for patients. At the Conquest infection rates for MRSA and C.Difficile, the so called 'super bugs', are at record low levels and most patients now only have to wait a few weeks for operations compared to 18 months in 1997. People suspected of having cancer are now seen by a specialist within a maximum of two weeks, a guarantee made possible by excellent NHS staff.
I am proud of our NHS and I hope you can support the campaign to keep Hastings and Rother NHS. We all stand to benefit.
To keep up to date on what I'm doing stop by my website http://www.michaelfoster.org.uk/ .
You can also receive a monthly update on my activities by sending an email to mp@1066.net with 'MPFree' in the subject line.
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Weather for Hastings
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 11 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light showers
Temperature: 13 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: West
