Eddisbury News
Stephen slams 8% cut in spending on cancer patients in Eddisbury
Local MP & Shadow Health Minister Stephen O’Brien, has slammed the Government for cutting the amount spent on cancer patients in his Eddisbury constituency and across central and east Cheshire by 8 per-cent.
Official figures released by the Department of Health show that the amount spent on each cancer patient by Central & Eastern Cheshire PCT has fallen from £6,178 in 2007-08 to £5,711 in 2008/09 a cut of £467 or 8 per-cent per patient.
Commenting on the cuts Stephen O’Brien said: “I am very concerned that spending on cancer care in Eddisbury and the rest of central and east Cheshire was cut by 8 per-cent last year, especially when we know that Labour are planning further significant cuts in the NHS budget after the election.
“It is ironic that as these cuts are exposed the Government has launched a Commission on cancer care for rural areas, because the two actions simply do not add up. On the one hand Labour say they want to improve the provision of cancer care in rural Cheshire, yet at the same time they have cut the amount spent on cancer patients in our area, and are planning further cuts in NHS care after the General Election. When is Gordon Brown going to understand that action speaks louder than words? With so many broken promises under his belt local people will not be fooled by more promises of jam tomorrow.
“Cancer survival rates in the UK are still lagging well behind those of France, Germany, the United States and other developed countries so any cuts in the amount we are spending on what is a priority for the Conservative Party is a cause for serious concern. What matters is whether people are recovering from cancer as a result of their treatment – and that is what I and the Conservative Party want to focus on – outcomes not targets. That is why as Shadow Health Minister I have promised a Conservative Government would not cut the NHS budget.”
“Early diagnosis and rapid treatment are key to successful treatment for cancer sufferers, which is why unlike Labour we are not planning to cut the NHS budget or spending on care for those with cancer.”
Notes:
1. Cuts to cancer spending
Latest Government figures show that the average amount spent per cancer patient in the Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT area was cut by 8% or £467 – see the attached spreadsheet (Row 76) for the full figures. One PCT even cut the average amount it spent on each cancer patient by almost half.