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HOWARD'S WAY.... a weekly column from Michael Howard MP

1 June 2006<IMG height=195 hspace=10 src="images/michaelhoward3.jpg" width=130 align=right vspace=10 border=0>

The fight to save Harcourt and Selsted Schools is gathering momentum. I have visited both schools in the last few days and have been helped by the numerous letters I have received from parents at both schools. The consultation period extends until the 14 July and it is up to all of you to make sure that our arguments are properly deployed and fully taken into account. I shall certainly do all I can to make those voices heard.

Education is, sadly, not the only public service under pressure. The East Kent Hospitals NHS Trust is proposing to reduce the number of beds and staff at the William Harvey Hospital.

This is particularly disappointing since, mindful of the cuts taking place in other parts of the country. I have been repeatedly asking whether any such cuts were planned locally and have been given repeated assurances that they were not. As recently as last month I had received these assurances from the Shepway Primary Care Trust, the Kent Strategic Health Authority and the Hospital Trust itself.

Now, apparently as a result of Government action, the position has changed. With the introduction of the Payment by Result scheme and the National Tariff on which it is based, means that the Trust will receive £20M less in 2006/7 than it received for the same amount of work as it did in 2005/6. So the Trust will indeed have to make cuts. 

Behind these cold statistics lie the human needs of patients and staff. A nurse of 30 years standing came to my advice centre in Hythe on Saturday. Her post has been made redundant. The Trust is looking for another position for her but none has yet been found. 

We all know that the amount of taxpayers money spent on education and health has increased substantially in the last 2 years but it is no use spending more money if it is not spent well. The cuts we face in education and health reinforce the questions which so many people are asking.