Patients paying price for broken promises

Statistics released by the Health and Social Care Information Centre last week show that the number of qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff employed by the NHS has fallen by 6,191 since May 2010.

Between June and July this year over 800 posts alone were lost, the Centre’s workforce statistics for England show. The cuts are especially bad in Yorkshire and the Humber with 1,318 fewer nurses working on the frontline than two years ago.

Despite his election promises the Prime Minister has cut the NHS budget two years running and turned it upside down with a wasteful and unnecessary £3 billion reorganisation. Patients are paying the price for these broken promises as more people wait longer in A&E and the number of patients left waiting on trolleys in hospital corridors is up by a third.

It’s time for the Government to get its priorities straight by protecting the NHS and putting patients’ needs first.

Last week’s figures show that, with the help of the Olympics, Britain is finally out of the longest double-dip recession since the Second World War.

However underlying growth remains weak and our economy is only just back to the same size as a year ago - 12 months of damaging flatlining which has seen borrowing rise in the first half of this year.

With living standards falling, more tax rises on the way, small business lending down and the eurozone still in crisis, it would be very unwise for the Government to sit back, cross their fingers and hope for the best. Action is needed now to secure and strengthen growth in our economy.

We need a long-term plan to rebuild our infrastructure as well as radical reform of the banks.

There are over 112,000 people aged 25 and under with epilepsy in the UK. That’s why three years ago Young Epilepsy started their Champions campaign to improve health and education for them and to raise awareness.

As part of the campaign, the inaugural Young Epilepsy Champions Awards will recognise the outstanding contribution made by young people, professionals and organisations towards improving awareness and understanding.

If you know an individual or organisation that has helped make a difference you can nominate them for an award. Visit www.youngepilepsy.org.uk for more.