Lib Dems Take NHS Campaign to Council

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sat 1st Jul 2006

Milton Keynes Liberal Democrats have taken their campaign against the proposed cuts to the local health service to Milton Keynes Council.

"By forcing our local NHS to cut 5 million pounds to bail out other health trusts elsewhere, the Labour Government is letting down the people of Milton Keynes," said Liberal Democrat cabinet member Irene Henderson. "We are delighted that we have won the backing of Milton Keynes Council for our campaign against the cuts."

The Lib Dem motion called on the Secretary of State for Health to halt the proposed cuts and on local MPs to support greater local accountability in the NHS.

Amongst the cuts to the local NHS are:

• reductions in mental health day services;

• the closure of the Fraser Day Centre in Newport Pagnell

• significant budget reductions at Milton Keynes General Hospital.

Milton Keynes Liberal Democrats have also launched a petition against the cuts which they intend to present to the Secretary of State for Health. Hundreds of local people have already signed the petition. You can add your name by going to "Sign our petition" on this website.