NHS Cuts for Leicester

9.23.12am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th Oct 2006

Zuffar Haq, the chairman of Leicesters patients forum talks to the council leader about the government cuts.

Local campaigners were shocked to learn that the National Health Service is making significant further cuts to hospital services in Leicester, in the region of £15 million. With cuts of up to £30 million already this year from the cities three hospitals, serious concerns have been raised, including waiting times for some operations.

Zuffar Haq, the chairman of Leicesters patients forum met with Roger Blackmore the City Council Leader to discuss the crisis, he said, "I hope these cuts will not impact on patient care and services, however I feel thats what they will do."

A motion was placed down at last months full council meeting, supported by the Liberal Democrats which asked for the Chief Executive to write to the Labour Health Minister, asking her to give more time to local NHS trusts to pay off the deficits and ask her to assist our NHS trusts in ways that do not effect patient care.