HUGH Bayley should be ashamed at his defence of the cuts to the NHS budget in York (New day unit takes the pressure off, The Press, November 7).

As our MP he should be representing us and our views rather than toeing the party line by claiming that there are going to be no cuts to services.

Like him, I welcome any extra money that has been spent on services for patients. I am more than sure that the nurses he met are doing a fantastic job. However, there is little doubt in my mind that the huge cuts in staff, beds and other services that have been reported in The Press must have serious effects on the treatment of patients.

With some few exceptions, the extra money that is going into York NHS seems to be being spent on consultants and bureaucracy. When is Hugh going to listen to the concerns of many doctors and patients in York and admit that there is a problem?

Miss A K Parsons, Siward Street, Hull Road, York.


HUGH Bayley is wrong to say that services to patients at York Hospital are not being cut (New day unit takes the pressure off, The Press, November 7).

One of the many examples of services being cut is the planned reduction in the number of hip and knee replacement operations. Other examples include the proposal to reduce primary care counselling services and the plan to cut grants to the voluntary and independent sector.

Mr Bayley is trying to pull the wool over residents' eyes if he is suggesting that the PCT can reduce its staff by 200, cut 60 primary care beds and 16 intermediate care beds without a reduction in services to local people. He is simply defending Patricia Hewitt and Gordon Brown, the people who have the power to step in and provide funds to preserve local NHS services.

Given that the PCT has been forced to cut millions from its budget, it is a bit rich for Mr Bayley to say that the Government is putting extra money into the NHS in York.

Councillor Madeleine Kirk, Parliamentary spokesperson York Outer Liberal Democrats, Melcombe Avenue, Strensall, York.