Health service users in Bedford will come together to plan the defence of vital services at a UNISON-organised public meeting tomorrow.
The meeting, from 6pm-8pm on 5 August, at the Bunyan Meeting Church in Bedford, is in response to increasing concerns about the Bedford Clinical Commissioning Group review of healthcare services in Bedfordshire
“What appears to be emerging from the review are options for a potential downgrading of accident and emergency services in Bedfordshire,” says UNISON regional organiser Vheryl Godber.
“That is not what the local community would wish to see in an area whose needs and population is growing, not decreasing in size.
“These are really worrying times for the people of Bedfordshire, wondering what local health services will be left following the review and who will be running those services.
“The public meeting will outline what UNISON and others really believe is the future for both local emergency services and community services if this review continues to implementation
“We must all campaign together and fight to ensure that these vital, local services are not lost in Bedfordshire or hived off to the private sector, whose only interest are cutting costs and making a profit on the back of those who are sick, vulnerable and in need of care,” added Ms Godber.
“I hope that the community of Bedfordshire turns out in force to the meeting to hear what is being said by key speakers such as Dr John Lister, from London Health Emergency, who has been conducting extensive research into the review and ensure that their own voices are heard too.”
