Steve says we need to stand up NOW for our local hospital.
Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Winchester, Steve Brine, has said local people need to stand up now in support of their hospital.
Speaking from a rally organised by the public service union, Unison, Steve said he was very worried about the future of the Romsey Road site which is currently battling an £11.2m deficit.
The rally which met outside the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Romsey Road on Saturday 3rd March was well attended and culminated in a walk through town to the Buttercross in Winchester High Street.
Steve said; "I am very concerned that current NHS cuts, designed purely to save Gordon Brown's political skin, are damaging our local health service and affecting patient care. I remain very supportive of the Trust's desire to attain Foundation Satus which will give them some of the freedom my party has long since argued it needs. However, the Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Trust have spent a lot of money on its' Fit for the future programme and, as I have said to members of the Trust on many occassions, it is no use us being fit for the future if we damage the present.
"I have found it incredibly useful to attend this rally to talk to members of staff and hear their concerns. They fear for their jobs and for the future of the RHCH, and I share their concern. We have to stand up now for our local hospital and that is why I am here today (Saturday 3rd March 2007).
Steve who lives in Winchester with his wife Susie, a local health worker herself, added; "I am of-course concerned about the national deficits in our NHS and the state of other hospitals in the region such as Basingstoke and Southampton, but I and my family rely on this hospital because we actually live here and use it."
Do you work at the RHCH and feel able to talk to Steve in complete confidence? Email me steve@stevebrine.com today.
Steve Brine is pictured above talking to a local RHCH staff member with new Meon Valley Parliamentary Candidate, George Hollingberry.