WARRINGTON’S Liberal Democrat leader says he is proud of the way his party has acted nationally to bring about changes to the Coalition Government’s controversial health bill.
He said: “The Bill is now a whole lot better and will make sure decisions are taken in the best interests of patients.
“ We believe the NHS must always be universal, based on need and free at the point of use.”
Cllr Ian Marks was commenting on changes to the Health Bill announced by the Government to address concerns raised by the public, medical professionals – and the Liberal Democrats.
He said: “Lib Dems led the calls for changes after raising serious concerns at the party’s spring conference in March. Nick Clegg and others have worked hard in Government to make sure the concerns have been addressed.
“In particular, the Liberal Democrats have ensured
* There will be no special favours for the private sector and there will be a level playing field
* The pace of change is slowed down to ensure changes are not rushed into and those taking on new responsibilities do so when they are ready. The changes will be evolution, not revolution
* The NHS is properly accountable, both nationally and locally.
Cllr Marks said: “We have ensured there will be no special favours for the private sector, proper accountability and that the changes are not rushed into before people are ready to take on new responsibilities.
“But this is no time for resting on our laurels. The NHS still faces huge challenges, with an ageing population and the rising costs of new drugs and technologies. I am confident the NHS is now in better shape to meet those challenges.
“Here in Warrington we are well placed and the joint working between the council and health is going well. From the beginning of April, public health has been integrated into the council and there has been tremendous enthusiasm for this.
“ We established a Health and Wellbeing Board and having chaired the first meeting. I was delighted to hand over to our new independent chair, Professor Steven Broomhead.
“The GP Consortium is in good shape and has the advantage it covers the same geographical area as the council, unlike in many places. It will now take on board other health professionals and be more accountable to the public, which is to be welcomed.”
WARRINGTON’S Liberal Democrat leader says he is proud of the way his
party has acted nationally to bring about changes to the Coalition
Government’s controversial health bill.Lib Dem pride over health changes
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
3 Comments
Here we go again! Does Councillor Marks live in this real world? The Coallition have done nothing yet only talk. Lets see some real action in support of patients and not big business and then we can have a meaningful discussion.
What have they done to ensure that there are also no special favours for the public sector??? Or have they just stuck blindly to their outdated ideology that a wasteful and inefficient public sector monopoly somehow offers better value for money than a competative private sector where companies only get to keep contracts and make a profit if they deliver a quality service, control costs, keep their prices keen, and do the job right.
For someone under whose leadership Warrington got voted ‘Worst Town in Britain’ one of the reasons being because of the inequalities in health between rich and poor, Ian Marks comments are a joke!