Local MP presses PM on 16% NHS cuts
Helen Goodman presses David Cameron on 16% NHS cuts in County Durham
Bishop Auckland MP Helen Goodman has accused the Prime Minister of being out of touch and of breaking his promises after she pressed him in the House of Commons to explain the 16% cut in funding for NHS services in Co. Durham and Darlington.
Houses of Parliament
Helen asked the Prime Minister during Prime Minister’s Questions why, when he promised to increase health funding, are constituents in Bishop Auckland set to see such a vast cut – totalling £80 million – in local NHS spending?
Speaking after PMQs, Helen dismissed the Prime Minister’s response, saying:
“The Prime Minister totally failed to answer my question.
He seemed to think that the cuts would not affect local health services, but these are huge cuts, and it simply shows how out of touch he is with the people of Co. Durham.
Before the General Election, David Cameron promised to ‘cut the deficit, not the NHS’, and I think everyone in Bishop Auckland will now know how false that promise has turned out to be”.
Local surgeries
Helen holds monthly advice surgeries for local residents at a number of venues across the constituency.
Surgeries allow constituents an opportunity to raise concerns with Helen in person. No appointment is necessary: you can just turn up.
Surgery’s usually take place on the first friday of every month, and start at 5pm unless stated. The dates for upcoming surgeries are:
Friday 28th January 2011: The Witham Hall, 3 Horsemarket, Barnard Castle, DL12 8LY
Friday 4th February 2011: Tudhoe Community Centre, St David’s Close, Tudhoe, Spennymoor, DL16 6TA
Friday 4th March 2011: West Auckland Community Centre, Monteith Close, West Auckland, DL14 9HT
Friday 1st April 2011: Constituency Office, 1 Cockton Hill Road, Bishop Auckland, DL14 6EN
Helen also holds regular ‘street surgeries’ (usually two per month), where she visits a particular area of the constituency and provides a further opportunity for people to discuss any issue of concern. For more information check out Helen’s website http://helengoodman.co.uk/
