Farron calls for full publication of leaked health cuts plans

South Lakes MP Tim Farron as called for full publication of leaked plans which single out the Morecambe Bay area for drastic health cuts including closing wards and services.

Documents leaked to the Health Service Journal reveal secret plans for closing wards and services, extending waiting times, and stopping some treatments. The plans are being drawn up between top officials from NHS England, NHS Improvement and health managers in 14 areas of the country with the highest levels of overspending, including here in Morecambe Bay.

Tim has written to NHS England to demand that the plans for the Morecambe Bay area be released publicly and in full.

Tim said: "The public has a right to know about planned cuts to local health services. This is why I have today written to NHS England to demand full publication of the plans for our area. These plans must not be drawn up behind closed doors without public scrutiny.

"Local hospital trust staff are fantastic professionals who do an excellent job, but the government's obsession with cutting more and more funding from our health service is putting them in an impossible situation.

"The government must be open and honest with the public about what their savage health cuts will mean for local services. Publishing these plans is an important first step."