Beith to challenge minister over GP budget cuts

12.00.00pm 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."