Matthew Taylor

Liberal Democrats | Truro and St Austell

TRELISKE MUST BE OPEN ABOUT CUTS - TAYLOR

Following news that a breast screening clinic at Treliske Hospital has been suspended due to lack of funds, Truro and St Austell MP, Matthew Taylor has written to Hospital Chief Executive, Brian Milstead, demanding a detailed explanation of all cuts hitting the hospital.

According to Treliske, the clinic, which provides screening for women with a family history of breast cancer, was suspended ‘several months ago’, but the decision has only recently been discovered. However, many other cost cutting measures at Trelikse have made headlines recently, as the hospital struggles to cope with persistent Government under-funding. Mr Taylor says local people need a comprehensive picture of the problems caused by Government under-funding of the NHS in Cornwall.

Mr Taylor is still waiting for a response to his letter to Health minister, Patricia Hewitt, urging her to speed up the review of the funding formula for Cornwall’s NHS. At present funding is linked to low-local wages, despite staff being paid in line with national pay scales – leaving Cornwall with amongst the worst funded health services anywhere in the NHS.

Commenting, Matthew Taylor MP said:

“The suspension of the breast screening clinic is enormously worrying, not only because 14 women each week will be missing out on vital screenings, but also because it has taken months for the public to be informed. What other services have been cut that we aren’t being told about?

“Government funding for Cornwall’s NHS must be reviewed and the longer the Government delays, the more people’s health is being put at risk. In the mean time, however, Treliske must be open with the public about the effect poor funding is having on their services.”