"Let people have their say over NHS crisis" Leeds North West NHS Inquiry Launched

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 7th Feb 2005

Cllr Greg Mulholland, Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson for Leeds North West is launching the "Leeds North West Health Inquiry", a major health survey across North West Leeds and Wharfedale. This follows press reports of the serious financial crisis affecting hospitals. The survey will be delivered to all 38,000 homes in the constituency including in Otley, Bramhope, Pool, Rawdon and Yeadon.

Cllr Mulholland has been critical of the lack of openness of the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust which has led to concern amongst residents and patients over the future of hospital provision, including Wharfedale Hospital. He commented, "There is uncertainty and real public concern over the state of the NHS here and that is an unacceptable state of affairs. We are conducting a major survey to give people a chance to air their views and to highlight all the problem areas."

Cllr Mulholland has already written to Neil McKay, the Chief Executive of Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust and has also called on the Government to intervene to solve the funding crisis. He is also critical about the way that the Trust is using a Public Relations spokesperson to comment on the crisis, "The only thing that will convince people that they need not worry is a public pronouncement by Mr McKay himself."

Cllr Mulholland has welcomed statements reassuring people about the future of Wharfedale Hospital, following concerns raised by staff there, but says that they have not gone far enough. Already there seems to be a U-turn by scrapping plans to move the Endocrinology Clinic and Cllr Mulholland said "This is welcome news, but it really is not the way to do things. One minute patients are being told by staff at the hospital that the clinic is closing, the next minute there is a public announcement that this is not the case. Only a full statement laying out plans for the hospital will fully reassure people that the hospital will continue to offer the full range of services it offers now."

Has still however still not had a response to his letter to Mr McKay. "I will keep asking the questions until I get answers and only then will local people really know what the future of hospital provision here is".

On the inquiry, Cllr Mulholland says, "Health is one of the top three issues in Leeds North West and I would ask as many people as possible to take part in the NHS inquiry so we hear your views". He concludes, "Above all, it is vital that public confidence in the health service is restored."