![]() |
Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Beith MP Member of Parliament for Berwick Upon Tweed |
![]() |
| Local Democracy Week | <info@berwicklibdems.org.uk> |
Beith to challenge minister over GP budget cuts12.00.00pm GMT Mon 17th Dec 2007 Alan Beith, Liberal Democrat MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, is to challenge the Minister for Health in the House of Commons tomorrow, following the reports of proposed cuts to the budgets for Northumberland's GPs. Alan Beith said "I will be asking the Minister what steps have been taken to ensure that rural proofing is carried out by primary care trusts in rural areas. "Rural proofing is a process which should be carried out when policies and changes are considered, to consider if they will have a specific impact on rural areas because of that rural nature, and to adjust policies accordingly. "It is absolutely essential that decisions which affect the quality and availability of services in rural areas like north Northumberland take into account the cost of delivery in rural areas due to increased travelling time, lack of public transport and other factors. "Rural health services are seen as expensive when people look at the cost per head of population, but that is a factor which cannot be overcome by simply cutting the amount available with which to provide the service."
Bookmark this story at:
Related News Stories:Tue 13th May 2008: Beith takes fishermen's fight to Minister. Tue 11th Mar 2008: Budget Box all but empty, says Beith. Tue 4th Mar 2008: Beith backs Rural Advocate and calls on Prime Minister to do the same. Tue 22nd Jan 2008: Beith quizzes Minister over cross-border bus pass fiasco. Mon 21st Jan 2008: Beith calls on Minister to remember needs of rural students. Wed 19th Dec 2007: Beith battles on over GP budget cuts. Fri 14th Dec 2007: Beith reminds Minister of promise to visit Duchess's High School. Mon 29th Oct 2007: Beith challenges Minister in Parliament over local government reform for Northumberland. Wed 24th Oct 2007: Beith calls Minister to Despatch Box over state of our school buildings. Tue 9th Oct 2007: Beith challenges Minister in House of Commons to do more for farmers over Foot and Mouth. Tue 27th Mar 2007: Beith challenges Minister over Belford rail platform saga. Wed 21st Mar 2007: Hidden tax traps for northern families and pensioners in Budget - Beith. Mon 12th Mar 2007: Beith urges Chancellor to cut Income Tax in Budget. Mon 12th Feb 2007: Beith keeps up pressure on Schools Minister to visit Alnwick. Beith tackles Prime Minister over pressure on prison officers. Tue 21st Nov 2006: Beith sends strong message to Minister over education in Northumberland. Tue 27th Jun 2006: Beith challenges Minister to save Seahouses Harbour. Tue 23rd May 2006: Beith raises Tweedmouth retail applications with Minister. Thu 4th May 2006: NHS cuts may cost lives in the North East, warns Beith. Sat 11th Mar 2006: Published and promoted by Clare Mills for Rt Hon Alan Beith MP and BCLD, 54 Bondgate Within, Alnwick NE66 1JD The views expressed are those of the party, not of the service provider. |