Lib Dems Call for United Front in Fight to Protect Hospital

11.05.36am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 13th Oct 2006

Bedford Borough Liberal Democrat Councillors are calling on all political parties to put local people first and join the fight in support of Bedford Hospital.

Following last night's meeting of the full council, at which members of the Labour Group abstained on a motion in support of the hospital, Councillor Christine McHugh said:

"We believe strongly that all local councillors and political parties should speak out against the damaging cuts taking place at our hospital. With ongoing cuts to services, job losses and bed closures against a backdrop of an alarming financial deficit, it is beyond debate that Bedford Hospital is in crisis and needs urgent support. It is time to unite and make clear that the hospital must be protected against any further devastating loss of services.

"This is all brought into even sharper focus by the release of the Healthcare Commission's Annual Health Check, which graded the Hospital Trust's use of resources as 'Weak.' This serves to make Bedford Hospital even more vulnerable as the Strategic Health Authority embarks on its review of acute services in the East of England."