Exposed - Government 'heat maps' reveal plans for NHS cuts in St Albans

Anne Main MP has learnt that Labour Ministers are actively involved in planning the proposed local health cuts and managing the media fallout in St Albans.

Anne Main MP has learnt that Labour Ministers are actively involved in planning the proposed local health cuts and managing the media fallout in St Albans.

Under the Freedom of Information Act, the Department of Health has been forced to publish 'heat maps', showing the 77 NHS services on the Government's hitlist - where media interest on cutbacks and closures is focused now and 'in the future'. Ministers and Labour Party officials have been holding meetings to work out ways of closing hospitals and minimise the negative media coverage in order to avoid losing marginal Parliamentary seats at the next general election.

The maps highlight the NHS organisations most at risk of cutbacks and closure, and where media attention is highest as a result.

Anne Main commented:

"These leaked papers expose the fact that Labour Ministers have politicised the hospital closure agenda and are attempting to minimise the political fallout in areas such as St Albans where residents are intensely worried about having to access major services, including A&E at Watford.

"This Government's obsession with spin and managing the media suggest to me that ministers are not interested in the long-term interests of St Albans residents. The health outcomes for my constituents seem to be wrapped up in concerns over the election map rather than fair funding for our local health service.

"It was only last year that one of my Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Health revealed that neither she, her predecessors, or the Department of Health ever gave any assurances about a new hospital in Welwyn Hatfield - despite the former Member of Parliament's "assurances" that he talked about to the local electorate.

Only a few weeks ago St Albans residents were being asked to swallow cuts in the promise of a 'Super Hospital' that turned to be an unaffordable 'pipedream'. I have always argued that we should not accept cuts in local services, or indeed have significant alterations to service delivery, unless we have cast iron assurances that my constituents will receive an increased - or equal - quality of care. Empty rhetoric and false 'assurances' have quite rightly left my constituents extremely sceptical about what they can expect from this Government on health. "