Andrew George will tell local NHS campaigners must galvanise for battles ahead
St Ives MP Andrew George will encourage local health campaigners to prepare for battles ahead when he addresses the West Cornwall HealthWatch Annual Meeting on Friday (11th October).
Andrew says campaigners must look forward in the wake of last month’s Darzi Review, which outlined severe failings in the NHS and issued a raft of recommendations. “The last Conservative government left the NHS facing its worst crisis in its history,” he said. “Does the Darzi Review really offer a route to save our NHS? Though his analysis is helpful, without the resources to address the mess they’ve been left with, it’s hard to see our NHS will be able to mend itself with motivational lectures and pep-talks.
“What next for our NHS and social care?” is the theme of Friday’s meeting at St John’s Hall, Penzance. Andrew, who is one of two guest speakers, along with retired consultant physician Dr David Levine. The two jointly prepared a ‘Prospectus for West Cornwall Hospital’ a couple of years ago. Andrew will also give an update on the campaign to save Cornwall’s planned Women and Children’s Hospital.
The £291m project is part of the previous government’s New Hospital Programme (NHP), which Health Secretary Wes Streeting claims is undeliverable and unaffordable. Andrew said: “The Health Secretary’s revelation that the New Hospital Programme was unfunded has thrown doubt on whether the much-needed Women and Children’s Hospital at Treliske will go ahead at all.”
The future of West Cornwall Hospital and the need to secure 24/7 urgent treatment services there will also be on the agenda at the AGM.
Andrew said: “West Cornwall HealthWatch has been a strong and respected local campaign body for nearly three decades. I’ve been pleased to work closely with members on many successful joint campaigns throughout their history.“
The AGM is a public meeting, and Andrew is urging anyone interested to come along to hear more, or support efforts to rebuild and restore the NHS and care services.
The meeting is at 7pm in the Alverne Room at St John’s Hall on Friday 11th October.