Stockport Liberal Democrats have called for a joint campaign with people from all parties and none to oppose the Conservative cuts that have led to job losses and a ward closure at Stepping Hill hospital.
You can join our campaign and sign the petition here.
“At the last election the Conservatives promised billions of pounds more for our NHS,” said Cllr Lisa Smart, Hazel Grove Parliamentary Spokesperson. “We now know that Stepping Hill is having to close a ward, lose over 400 staff, sell off part of their site and make other savings to balance the books. And that’s just for this year – more cuts may be needed next year.”
“It is vital that we have a properly funded health service,” said Cllr Mark Hunter, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Cheadle. “Within the last few days we have held a top-level meeting with the hospital, and we will work with people from all parties and none to save Stepping Hill.”
Refuting Tory and Labour claims of a leak and breach of confidentiality, Lib Dem leader Iain Roberts said “Along with other parties, I received an email from the hospital via council officers on Wednesday 27th July. The email was not marked as confidential. There was nothing suggesting that it was confidential. It stated that staff at Stepping Hill had already been informed of the proposed cuts. I make no apology for fighting to save our hospital and for informing the public of plans to close an entire ward at less than two days notice. It is astonishing that the Labour and Conservative parties think that big cuts to our hospital matter less than keeping those cuts a secret.”
