Eleanor Burnham

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Eleanor Burnham <info@eburnham.org.uk>

Eleanor Burnham - No closures in North Wales without real healthcare when you need it

January 30, 2007 11:18 AM

Eleanor Burnham AM today backed her colleague, Welsh Liberal Democrat Health Spokesperson Jenny Randerson, on the pledge that Welsh hospital services will not be re-organised without first setting out the alternative community provision to replace them under a Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Government.

The announcement comes following yesterday's launch of a policy document entitled "Healthcare when you need it". The party is putting the focus on extending and improving access to health services in every Welsh community to put the patient first.

The document pulls together Welsh Liberal Democrat policies for a modern ambulance service, more responsive accident & emergency services and improved community healthcare. It sets out policy for the remainder of the Assembly and beyond.

Ms Burnham, Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member for North Wales, said: "It is alarming, but Labour's mismanagement of the health service in North Wales and across the country has eroded public confidence in the most urgent kinds of care. That's why we're focused on putting the patient first by delivering healthcare when it's needed.

"This means making the ambulance service fit for purpose with modern vehicles, more power for paramedics and linking them with the most appropriate health centre. It means no hospital re-organisation without the plans for alternative provision being in place, having listened to patients and shared budgets between the NHS and Social Services to deal with bed-blocking. It means health hubs that are one-stop shops for healthcare and well-being services and targeted health MOTs to check up on people before they are ill, preventing more radical treatment at a later stage.

"Right now in North Wales, we are losing vital community based hospital services for some of the most vulnerable in our society. With only three acute hospitals across the region, many patients face long and difficult journeys to get access to the health care they need.

"Nurse-led walk-in centres could offer the right treatment for the right patient, and would save unnecessary travel across North Wales, allowing patients to get their treatment closer to home.

Backing Ms Burnham's comments on the documents launch, Ms Randerson said: "As party health spokesperson I speak regularly with Wales' health professionals. I know how much they give, and how much they care about what they do. As politicians we owe it to them to do better. To give them the tools they need to give us the healthcare we need, when we need it."

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