Concession on health cuts not enough, say Haringey Liberal Democrats

6.46.30pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 2nd Apr 2007

A last minute concession to the proposed cut in Haringey health spending has been described as Labour spin by the Liberal Democrats.

The Haringey Primary Care Trust (PCT) told the Council's 'watchdog' committee last week (26th March) that instead of the original 3.6% the reduction would be revised to 2.4%. The revision of the figures has angered Liberal Democrats who have highlighted the fact that this will still cut spending by £8million.

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green comments:

"Any cut to health spending in Haringey is a cut too much. No matter how much tinkering Labour does with the figures, the fact is that Haringey resident's health care will suffer. This is yet one more example of people having to pay for Labour's poor management of the NHS."

Cllr Richard Wilson, Haringey Lib Dem spokesperson on health issues adds:

"Last year's £10 million raid on our local health budget resulted in hospital wards and clinics closing across the Borough. The Government has now confirmed that £8 million will be raided from Haringey's Health Services this year, because of Labour's continuing NHS financial crisis. This double-whammy means patients will lose out as more health services are cut by Labour."