Now that our political friends have decided to start electioneering, we have to listen to Councillor Rebecca Blake presenting herself as Redditch’s self appointed moral guardian of the NHS.

Perhaps now is the time to remind her of the legacy of her party’s past efforts when in Government, and the problems they caused, as she has clearly forgotten.The last Government wasted billions on Private Finance Initiative schemes, leaving many NHS Trusts struggling with horrendous debts for years to come.They presided over tick box policies, promoting nonmedical targets, resulting in the horrors of the mid Staffs, and other hospitals, leading to the premature deaths of over 1,000 patients at mid Staffs alone.

They negotiated the new contract for GPs, increasing doctors salaries for less work.

This removed the onus on doctors to offer out-of-hours cover, leaving patients with no care after hours or at weekends – resulting in a failed NHS Direct, and severely increased problems for A & E.

Nationally, A & E departments are also swamped this winter with drunkards, especially at weekends, as a direct result of 24 hour drinking avidly promoted by the last Labour government.

So, Councillor Blake thinks we should put her and her party back in charge again, to build on this record?

Lest we forget...

Ben Sinclair Redditch