SOMERSET FIRST TO HEAR OF CONSERVATIVE NHS REFORMS (11/03/02)

Liam Fox outlined the Conservative hopes for the NHS. He quoted worrying statistics. There are 1.15 administrators for each bed at NHS hospitals. Only 40 per cent of employees deal with patients, 60% of NHS staff deal with administration.

He also told of how ambulances are forced to circle hospitals while they carry patients. They do this, instead of taking them directly to casualty, in order for Government targets to be met. After all, a patient’s waiting time does not begin until they enter the hospital.

There are people employed in hospitals to remove the wheels from trolleys. Patients lying in corridors, on trolleys without wheels, cannot complain. These de-wheeled trolleys are actually classified as beds.

Dr Liam Fox said, ‘Government is more concerned with disguising their own incompetency, than treating patients. The referral time for hospital consultation has been reduced at the expense of care. The time between a first hospital consultation and receipt of treatment has lengthened.’

Conservative group leader, John Smeaton, in his supporting speech, emphasized the Conservatives determination to reduce government interference. He said, ‘Conservatives believe in allowing people to make their own decisions about their own lives. Government, both local and national, is there to provide help to those unable to help themselves. Imposing bureaucracy on individuals and businesses is an expensive waste of taxpayers money”

He also thanked Alan Ham for his eight years as dedicated leader of the County Conservatives Group.

One of the young Conservatives present, Andrea Lau, aged 21, said of the evening, ‘Liam Fox’s speech was thoroughly enlightening. I learnt things about the NHS that appalled me. However, I was comforted by the integrity of Dr Fox and reassured by his drive to reform our Health Service. It was also good to hear that Conservatives at Westminster want to reinstate local democracy.’