Local Conservatives respond to news that Essex Labour councillor being made Chairman of North Mid 29/01/07

Responding to news that Patricia Hewitt, the Health Secretary, has appointed a Labour Councillor as Chair of North Middlesex Hospital, Justin Hinchcliffe, Chairman of Tottenham Conservatives, said:

"David Hooper's appointment as Chair of North Mid is yet more proof that these NHS cuts are entirely Labour's fault. Let's be clear about who's in charge of this cuts agenda. We have Brown in the Treasury demanding savings and Hewitt in the Department of Health insisting Trusts make cuts.

"And locally we're going to have a Labour Councillor from Essex chairing North Mid. Until it was abolished last year, the Strategic Health Authority was chaired by an ex Labour Councillor. At every level, the sackings, the bed closure, Labour people are driving the decimation of our hospitalS.

"These are Labour's cuts pure and simple. David Lammy should stop pretending otherwise."

ENDS.