Horwood launches local NHS inquiry

2.12.24pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 6th Sep 2007

Mr Horwood, who has been at the forefront of the campaign to protect our local NHS services since he was first elected in 2005, is writing to every household in the town to find out their experience of using the local NHS. This follows severe cutbacks in the NHS budgets last year which led to the closure of Battledown children's ward for inpatients and nearly cost Cheltenham General its maternity ward. Other less high-profile services like IVF for childless couples were lost as well.The result of his inquiry will be published later this year.

Mr Horwood, whose wife is a doctor working for the local NHS, said: "Thousands of health professionals and other staff do an amazing job for our community, from daily emergency response to advice on flood risks. But I am concerned about the aftermath of the cuts and the effect it is having on the NHS in Cheltenham.

Thanks to thousands of local campaigners there were some successes: we saved St.Paul's and even IVF is available again in Gloucestershire." "But other areas are a cause for real concern.

Many people are telling me that mental health services in particular aren't providing the support they once did and that they and their relatives are more vulnerable now. That's a real worry. I've asked the NHS to report back on how the changes in local services have worked but I want to hear from people directly too.

Horwood chose local maternity services as the first topic on which to challenge new PM Gordon Brown at Prime Minister's Questions. "Despite the huge numbers of people who campaigned last year, we know Cheltenham General still isn't safe from further cuts."The Government seem hell bent on more closures of local A&E and maternity services so we need to show evidence of support for keeping these services in the heart of our community."

"To help me do this, I want to hear your views and experiences of local health services here in Cheltenham. That's why I've launched a comprehensive survey of local NHS services - possibly the largest our area has ever seen." "I will then take up the issues in Parliament and with the NHS locally to make sure our local NHS really delivers better services closer to home"

Please print off and complete a copy of the survey. which can be found in the download area.