Recent debate in the Council Chamber highlighted the divisions that exist between the political parties. Not for the first time have the local Tories tried to bin any responsibility for the actions of their Government. The future of the NHS is now at the heart of this uncaring Coalition Government. Attacks on welfare, on the poor and disabled, along with the discredited Bedroom Tax, are a deliberate attempt to pull the heart out of communities. These are political decisions supported by local Tories and Liberals. If this is incorrect let them say so. Those standing for public office should tell the truth.
Whatever the bloggers might argue on 853, there can be no escape that the changes being proposed for acute services in South London are firmly laid at the door of the Secretary of State for Health. The Lewisham Judgement now provides for some rethinking. The decision to merge both the Queen Elizabeth and Lewisham Hospital will go ahead. Keeping the existing provision at Lewisham must now be given active consideration.
However strongly we feel about the proposed changes or about the role of the private sector the needs of a growing community remains a local priority. The TSA report may have been a step too far, that is certainly the case in respect of the potential financial envelope. In summary the amount of funding resources available will continue to decline. There is no prospect of the government changing its mind.
Persuading people to adopt more healthy lifestyles, extending Public Health provision,and reshaping Community Health provision must remain a priority. Those discussions are underway and solutions to meet the health needs of the most vulnerable must take centre stage. Changing service delivery will take time but I believe improvements will happen. The Council will continue to influence its health partners,work towards creating integrated packages of care for the most vulnerable.
There will be those who seek to divert attention away from Government actions but they will be held to account at every opportunity. Attempting to blame somebody else or another public body will not wash