Labour must come clean on secret NHS shake-up - Randerson

2.17.06pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 26th Apr 2007

Welsh Liberal Democrat health spokesperson Jenny Randerson has called for Labour to come clean on plans for more changes to NHS structures, after comments from Brian Gibbons called in to question the future of NHS trusts.

Responding to comments made by Dr Gibbons at a hustings event for healthcare managers, Mrs Randerson said that more restructuring was the last thing Wales NHS needs.

She said: "Brian Gibbons has let the cat out of the bag. Now Labour should come clean on what further organisational change they are plotting for the NHS.

"Are they proposing the scrap the NHS trusts? There's certainly nothing about that in their manifesto, but that's one way of interpreting what Brian Gibbons' words. Labour should come clean. If they have plans which they are keeping quiet, then I think voters will want to know about them."

Jenny added: "Welsh Liberal Democrats have a clear position. We want to stop government meddling in the NHS. After eight years of constant change - some of which we were responsible for in government - our NHS now needs a period of stability, where the different organisations of the health service can learn to work together more effectively. That's where the great leap forward will come from - greater co-operation not further re-organisation.

"We're offering people a 'no meddling guarantee' at this election. We want to let doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists get on with the job.

" It's time Labour reassured our hard working health professionals that they are not about to unleash another period of turbulence and chaos on the NHS."

Notes:

Dr Gibbons suggested NHS trusts were at the end of their lives at a hustings organised by the Institute of Healthcare Managers yesterday.

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