In a press release from NHS Berkshire, financial constraints were given as one of the reasons for abandoning their plans. This is a very real demonstration of how the Tory/Lib Dem's plans for the NHS are effecting the people of Reading already, before the highly damaging health bill is passed. For example the number of patients on waiting lists for more than 18 weeks has risen 153 % in Berkshire West since May 2010.
Battle councillors believe the Primary care Trust (PCT) will sell off the land in West Village for further housing. Battle councillor ChrisMaskell said: “This is a betrayal of the Oxford Road Community. In 2005 we held
a series of public meetings and surveyed the entire ward to find out what
people wanted to come from the redevelopment of the Battle Hospital site. The
overwhelming response was that people wanted a medical centre to replace Battle
Hospital. “
Battle councillor Gul Khan said: “This is a devastating blow to the Oxford Road Community. We believe
the Coalition Government is “cleaning up” the NHS in preparation to sell off the
profitable bits to the highest bidders wherever they may be in the world but
only time will tell. However, what we do know is, cuts to the NHS are happening
now even though the Coalition Government’s NHS reform bill has not yet passed
into legislation. What the PCT is proposing is a disgrace.”
Here is the press release from Reading and District Labour Party about this weekend of action. There will be a stall outside Battle Library from 10-1 tomorrow (Saturday 10 December 2011) and you can sign the petition to drop the bill here:
