Government says "No extra health money for Milton Keynes"

12.00.00am GMT Mon 1st Mar 2004

Last month as part of the Liberal Democrat Campaign "More Health Care - Not Less" Jane Carr (North East M.K Lib Dem Parliamentary Spokesperson) and MK Cabinet Member for Health, Councillor Irene Henderson went to the Department of Health in Whitehall and presented a 3000 strong petition along with a letter outlining the problems facing health services in Milton Keynes.

Mr. Gordon Cairns has now replied saying "It is not Government policy to make special allocations for special circumstances such as population growth".

Jane Carr says: "I was of the opinion that the recent allocation of additional funds by Lord Rooker was because Milton Keynes has 'special circumstances' including growth. I am now very confused. It seems Government departments don't talk to each other?"

"Furthermore Mr Cairns confirms that there will be no additional funding until at least 2006! How appalling to expect our Primary Care Trust to cope with increased numbers of patients with no extra money. It seems to me that someone can't add up basic maths and that's not the PCT.

"However, I am not content to sit idly by whilst our services are eroded. Only last week during the Buckinghamshire health debate Sarah Teather Lib Dem MP for Brent East challenged the Government on our behalf about the situation. Interestingly neither of our MP's was present."

"I want to assure the people of Milton Keynes that I, and my Liberal Democrat colleagues on the Council, will continue to push for adequate funding for these critical services, even if this means asking other MP's to act on our behalf!"