A constituent recently copied me into an email she sent to University
Hospital Birmingham after receiving a leaflet about membership to its Foundation Trust
Board. I couldn't agree more with her sentiments. After outlining the
excellent care that various members of her family living all over the country had received
from the NHS, she said:
"So
how do I vote when I have received such excellent care from a National Health Service? All
I want is the best possible treatment for my family and friends when they are at their
most vulnerable. I haven’t time or inclination to be involved in the management of
the services I need when my family is vulnerable. I rely upon quality staff and quality
management decisions made on my behalf.
I will vote on these outcomes at general elections and not in between, I have a life to
manage."
20 December 2004
I voted against the legislation creating foundation trusts and I
share my constituent's concerns about the additional confusion they introduce into
peoiple's understanding of who is responsible for decisions. People want to vote for
representatives who will take decisions on their behalf and be accountable for them.
