Stephen Robinson's S.O.S. for the NHS

Stephen Robinson has been discussing the findings of his NHS survey

In the coming General Election the Lib Dems' first priority will be protecting frontline care in tough financial times in areas such as cancer care, mental health treatment, maternity services and dementia treatment by cutting waste and bureaucracy.

We will also give patients more control over their treatment, by radically cutting central spending at the Department of Health and electing Health Boards to make key decisions about local services. And under the Liberal Democrats if patients do not get treated on time by the NHS we will pay for them to be treated privately.

Said Health Spokesman Norman Lamb, "As the party that first proposed the NHS we are proud of what it achieves and recognise the wonderful work of NHS staff. However, we want to make it even better.

"If you are in employment you are entitled to paid holidays but for a huge number of carers that simply isn't an option. We believe that respite care is a lifeline - not just for carers but for whole families. That's why we will provide a week's break from caring every year to the 1 million unpaid carers who provide more than 50hrs care each week."

You can read Nick Clegg's speech about the NHS here: http://is.gd/8XrcQ

Download the Liberal Democrat vision for health here

Chelmsford Lib Dems' NHS survey of every house

In autumn 2007, Chelmsford Liberal Democrats conducted a survey of people's experiences of the NHS in the area. It is believed to be the biggest consultation on health ever undertaken in Chelmsford.

Stephen Robinson wrote a letter with a survey to houses across Chelmsford and has spent weeks reading and analysing the many hundreds of replies. He said, "I am delighted that so many people took the trouble to complete what was a lengthy survey. Chelmsford people are generally happy with the care provided by our hard-working NHS staff but unhappy about red tape and central government interference."

Over 70% were happy with waiting times to see GPs and nearly 90% satisfied with the consultation. However, half of respondents were unhappy with out of hours care, and the majority were opposed to the closure of St. John's hospital.

Less than 30% of people thought the NHS had improved under the Labour government, and over half thought it wastes money.

Mr. Robinson also said "It was also good to learn that people overwhelmingly back Lib Dem proposals for more local decision-making in the NHS, and screening for serious illnesses so they can be caught early."

Over 80% of people opposed Conservative plans to allow queue jumping by people who could afford to pay towards NHS treatment. Also, a large majority supported Lib Dem plans for health decisions to be taken locally - not all in Whitehall as now. This would provide a more effective and accountable health service.

"The Liberal Democrats want to see good quality local health services here in Chelmsford and across the country," said Stephen Robinson. "After record increases in the amount of money going into the NHS, we are entitled to ask why things are not rather better. We see huge deficits; staff posts not being filled; hospital closures, and poor cleanliness."

Stephen, along with Peter Wilcock (Lib Dem candidate in Saffron Walden) and Norman Lamb (Lib Dem spokesman on health) recently visited the Chief Executive of Mid Essex Health Trust, Ruth May, to discuss the findings, and particularly to discuss the Trust's moves towards Foundation Status and the development of the PFI project at Broomfield. They were pleased to find that great progress has been made on tackling superbugs at Broomfield, and also on hitting the target for all patients being treated within 18 weeks of GP referral.

However, Norman Lamb raised concerns that his experience of PFI hospitals in Norfolk had been that cost-cutting had led to bed shortages. There also appeared to still be problems with bed-blocking, as a result of failures within the County Council run social services to provide the appropriate care.

The Lib Dems have launched a petition calling for:

• An end to the cuts - hospitals are under threat, staff being made redundant and services slashed.
• Cut the waste - While services are being cut the Government is spending millions on computer systems that have yet to deliver and botched reforms which don't help patients.
• Give people more say - Under both Labour and Conservative Governments it has been Ministers that have ALL the say while local people have NO say. The Lib Dems want to see more control of the NHS in the hands of local people.

Follow this link to sign the petition

You can still take the survey at this link

SOS for the NHS - Lib Dem campaign

Related NHS news items in Chelmsford

• Mar 28, 2010:
  • Robinson Makes Cancer Commitment
    Cancer Research UK's Cancer Commitment aims to make UK cancer outcomes among the best in Europe in the next ten years. Stephen Robinson (who is bidding to be Chelmsford's Liberal Democrat MP) has signed up to the campaign. Stephen said: "I am delighted to pledge my support for Cancer Research UK's vital campaign. With a concerted effort from the next Parliament, we can give hope to the millions of people affected by cancer and their friends and family." More than one in three people in our constituency will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime. In the last thirty years, the UK's 10-year survival rates have doubled but cancer survival rates still lag behind the best performing countries in Europe such as Sweden, Norway and Finland. Cancer Research UK is calling on Parliamentary candidates to commit now that, if they are elected, they will help make cancer outcomes for patients in the UK among the best in Europe within a decade. The Cancer Commitment calls on MPs in the next Parliament to take action in five key areas: Detecting cancer earlier Providing world-class treatment Preventing more cancers Tackling cancer inequalities Protecting the UK's research base Jon Spiers, Head of Public Affairs and Campaigning at Cancer Research UK, said "To consign today's cancer challenges to tomorrow's history books, we must act now. Our thousands of scientists and our millions of supporters are hoping to see MPs in the next Parliament step up to the challenge." For information on Cancer Research UK's Commit To Beat Cancer campaign, visit: www.CommitToBeatCancer.org Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 27, 2010:
  • NHS hires 5,000 more managers - Robinson
    Stephen Robinson and Norman Lamb MP visited Broomfield hospital to discuss budget and staffing issues Figures released today have revealed that the number of managers in the NHS increased by 4,748 in the last year - an increase of 12% - while the number of nurses only increased by 2%. Commented Lib Dem Stephen Robinson, "The NHS is facing the toughest financial period in its history, yet we're still seeing managers being recruited like there's no tomorrow. "Many people will be left wondering why so much money is being spent on more NHS bureaucracy when we're in desperate need of front-line staff." The figures also reveal that: The cost of employing this many extra managers is estimated to be £230m There are now 44,661 managers in the NHS - an 84% increase over the last ten years The average annual increase in managers over the last ten years has been 4.6% - the average annual increase in nurses has been only 2.4% Stephen Robinson added, "Labour has poured huge amounts of taxpayers' money into the NHS while failing to ensure we get good value for money. "This week's Budget failed to set out any credible plan for reducing costs in the NHS. Labour claimed they would make the NHS more efficient, but these figures paint a different picture. "Only the Liberal Democrats are being honest about the scale of the challenge ahead. We will start by cutting the amount spent on admin by one third and reinvesting that money in front-line services." Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Mar 11, 2010:
  • Taxpayers to cough up extra £530m for Broomfield Hospital
    Stephen Robinson and Norman Lamb MP outside Broomfield hospital Figures uncovered by Lib Dem Stephen Robinson have revealed that taxpayers will have to pay nearly FOUR times the actual building cost of the Broomfield Hospital extension over the lifetime of the private sector contract. The actual building cost is £148 million but taxpayers will pay £678 million in rent and charges over the 30 year contract. Stephen Robinson, commented: "This £678 million is a contractual obligation to the private sector contractor who will manage the new building. So if ever the NHS is short of cash over the next 30 years, it will have to make cuts in other health services to find the repayment money. "These Private Finance Initiatives were invented by the Conservatives and have continued under Labour. We cannot go on using taxpayer cash to bankroll the private sector. Despite the enormous amounts of money we owe for these hospitals, many of them will never end up in public ownership. "We need a new approach to public services in Chelmsford. The Liberal Democrats would set up a UK Infrastructure Bank. This would ensure that key projects such as Broomfield Hospital, schools and railways can raise the funding they need to revitalise our economy. "We will change the way the NHS works so that money goes further and patients come first." ENDS Footnote Liberal Democrat analysis of HM Treasury figures has revealed that the NHS will have to pay back £58bn under Private Finance Initiative projects over the next three decades. However, these PFI hospitals are only worth £11bn in capital value. The figures are up to date as September 2009 but further contracts may have been signed since then. Treasury overall figures for PFI debt can be found here: http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/ppp_pfi_stats.htm . Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Sep 30, 2009:
  • Our hospital should end its "tax on the sick"
    Stephen Robinson discusses the results of his NHS survey with Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg NHS hospitals in Chelmsford collected £1 million in car park charges last year (across Essex £3.5 million and £110m across the country), research by the Liberal Democrats has revealed. Local Lib Dem campaigner Stephen Robinson and other residents raised the subject at last night's Hospital Trust AGM. The research also revealed that Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge made the most out of any hospital, with £2.8 million in total from parking charges. Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Chelmsford, Stephen Robinson commented: "I raised the charging issue when I met Broomfield hospital managers last year, again last night and will do so again. The recent changes still leave charges very high. "This is not the only "tax" on patients that Mid Essex Hospitals must cut. As well as excessive car park charges, there are high bedside phone and TV charges and expensive 0844 phone numbers." Liberal Democrat Shadow Secretary for Health, Norman Lamb MP, added: "No one is denying the need for hospitals to cover their costs but that doesn't mean they can use hidden charges to help themselves out of financial black holes. Ministers have ducked this issue for far too long and failed to ensure that Government guidelines are actually being followed." More about Stephen Robinson's NHS campaign: www.cmld.org.uk/nhs . Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Aug 4, 2008:
  • Lib Dem campaigners secure commitment to review parking charges at Broomfield Hospital
    Stephen Robinson, Peter Wilcock and Norman Lamb MP discussed NHS issues at Broomfield Hospital Local Liberal Democrat campaigners have secured a commitment that the unfair parking charges at Broomfield hospital will be reviewed after Mid Essex Hospital Trust has paid off its outstanding debts in April 2009. This was one of the complaints raised most frequently by the 1,400 respondents to Stephen Robinson's recent inquiry into the state of the NHS in Chelmsford. A large majority of respondents supported Lib Dem plans for health decisions to be taken locally - not all in Whitehall as happens currently. This would provide a more effective and accountable health service. Stephen Robinson is concerned that not enough is being done to publicise the Trust's bid for Foundation status and encourages the public to sign up as members of the Foundation to help improve the accountability of the organisation. Lib Dem health spokesman Norman Lamb MP, along with Stephen Robinson and Saffron Walden Parliamentary Candidate Peter Wilcock, met with the Chief Executive of the Trust recently to discuss the result of Stephen's enquiry and the progress being made on Foundation Trust status and the new PFI hospital. Said Stephen "We welcome the progress being made by MEHT on tackling hospital super-bugs, and on hitting the target for all patients being treated within 18 weeks of being referred by GPs. However, I hope Norman's experience of PFI projects in Norfolk leading to bed shortages are not repeated at the new hospital in Broomfield". Peter Wilcock was concerned by the remaining high levels of "bed-blocking" caused by Essex County Council's social services failing to provide appropriate care for people ready to leave hospital. Liberal Democrats have consistently pushed for greater integration of health and social services to avoid these problems. Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Jun 9, 2008:
  • Survey reveals support for Lib Dem health plans
    Stephen Robinson discusses the results of his NHS survey with Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg In a major survey of our local health services, Chelmsford residents have said they are mostly happy with standards of medical care and NHS staff, but have attacked waste of money, bad management and interference from central Government. The findings come in a survey conducted by the local Liberal Democrats and Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson. 75% opposed closing St. John's and 78% opposed funding and managing the Broomfield extension through Private Finance; and a large majority supported Lib Dem plans for health decisions to be taken locally - not all in Whitehall as now. More information on the survey can be found here: www.cmld.org.uk/nhs Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Sep 7, 2007:
  • SOS for the NHS - survey launched
    Local Liberal Democrats are campaigning against cuts to the local health services. They have launched a petition and are distributing a Health Survey right across Chelmsford. "We want to give local people a chance to have their say on local health services and health policy in general," said Parliamentary Candidate Stephen Robinson. www.libertyresearch.org.uk/take/178 Mr Robinson added, "We believe this will be the biggest consultation on health that has ever been organised in Chelmsford." Stephen Robinson discusses NHS cuts The survey asks for views on issues facing the local health service, including the privately-funded expansion of Broomfield hospital and the cuts needed to meet targets set by Whitehall. The Chelmsford survey forms part of a nation-wide Lib Dem survey. Responses in Chelmsford will be added to those from elsewhere to form a comprehensive picture. "The Liberal Democrats want to see good quality local health services here in Chelmsford and across the country," said Stephen Robinson. "After record increases in the amount of money going into the NHS, we are entitled to ask why things are not rather better. We see huge deficits; staff posts not being filled; hospital closures, and poor cleanliness." The Lib Dems have launched a petition calling for: 1 An end to the cuts - hospitals are under threat, staff being made redundant and services slashed. 2 Cut the waste - While services are being cut the Government is spending millions on computer systems that have yet to deliver and botched reforms which don't help patients. 3 Give people more say - Under both Labour and Conservative Governments it has been Ministers that have ALL the say while local people have NO say. The Lib Dems want to see more control of the NHS in the hands of local people. SIGN THE PETITION using one of these links: If you are already registered as a user of this website: www.cmld.org.uk/petitions/5/sign-registered.html If you are not registered as a user of this website: www.cmld.org.uk/petitions/5/sign-new.html Related Links National Lib Dem News and Info on the NHS Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY
• Nov 30, 2006:
  • Hospital problems down to central controls
    Simon Hughes MP and Stephen Robinson outside Broomfield hospital A "Whitehall knows best" mentality has been blamed for the problems with the expansion plans at Broomfield hospital. Chelmsford Liberal Democrat Stephen Robinson has written to the local papers on these lines, following their coverage of the issue. The papers reported that building plans had been put on hold while the project was reviewed. Said Stephen Robinson in the letter: "This and many other problems with the NHS can be blamed on growing central control. This gives the lie to Government statements about localisation. "Broomfield hospital should make its own decisions about what is best for Mid Essex and be held to account by local residents. Instead they have to answer to Whitehall. "The Liberal Democrats believe that a major shift away from the centre to local areas will be good for public services and good for local democracy. The other parties have spent the last thirty years moving power to the centre. "We have also said for a long time that these PFI contracts are not likely to be value for money in the long term. The potentially wasted £14 million in fees just underlining the point. Both Labour and the Conservatives have gone along with this in a desperate attempt to have the money that is being borrowed off the Treasury's balance sheet. Yours faithfully, Stephen Robinson Published & promoted by Ian Gale on behalf of Chelmsford Liberal Democrats, all at 20 Dane Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2SS...... 01245 358903 Printed (hosted) by Prater Raines Ltd, 98 Sandgate High Street, Folkestone CT20 3BY

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