DR EVAN HARRIS MP SLAMS HEALTH CUTS

6.55.15pm GMT Fri 25th Nov 2005

Dr Evan Harris, MP for Oxford West & Abingdon, today addressed the Oxfordshire Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee to highlight the devastating cuts facing Oxfordshire's NHS because of the Government's determination to reduce NHS deficits.

"The impact of the cuts, both those we know about and the larger ones yet to be agreed, will be devastating. Not only to front line health services, but also to carers, support workers and families," said Dr Harris.

"There has to be proper consultation on the proposed cuts, although that will delay the cuts and mean that they end up having to cut services to an intolerable level. The Committee will have my full support in insisting in proper consultation, in attempting to reduce the severity of the cuts and in seeking extra funds from the Government."

Dr Harris, himself a former local NHS doctor, took the unusual step of addressing the Committee because of the likely impact of the cuts.

Following the debate in the House of Commons which Dr Harris secured last week, Health Minister Rosie Winterton tried to shift the blame for the cuts, saying that it was the responsibility of the Scrutiny Committee to ensure that services did not suffer.