NHS will never be the same again - MP Andy Burnham

THE Shadow Health Secretary has predicted “absolutely dire” consequences if the government’s controversial Health Bill is passed.

Andy Burnham admitted Labour do not have the numbers to prevent the Bill going through which he claims will lead to “longer waiting lists” and “damage to the doctor-patient relationship.”

The MP for Leigh met with councillors, NHS workers and residents of Trafford as part of the 'Drop the Bill' campaign.  

He was all smiles at a Q & A session held in Urmston library but expressed a bleak outlook for the NHS.

“This Health Bill is bad news for the NHS and it will never be the same again if the proposed plans go through,” Burnham told Quays News.

“It could come before parliament in three weeks time and we (Labour) haven’t got the numbers to stop it passing.”

Burnham added the Liberal Democrats could stop the Bill but claimed deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg “stole votes to sell out the NHS.”

The Bill has caused widespread anger, with the British Medical Association, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Midwives opposing it.

Urmston Councillor Kevin Procter echoed Burnham’s fears stating Trafford would “see much longer waiting times.”

Hughie Erskine, who has worked for the NHS for several years, also raised concerns: “I totally believe the NHS will be scrapped by the conservatives.”

The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley recently defended the Bill on BBC Newsnight, saying: “The Bill puts the decision-making responsibility increasingly in the hands of people who can use resources better. Getting people the right care, at the right time in the right place is what it’s about.”

More information about the Bill can be found at: http://healthandcare.dh.gov.uk/factsheets/

By Daniel O’Donoghue