This week the Tory-led government’s plans for the NHS fell into further confusion and chaos with the Prime Minister announcing that they were delaying their plans to “listen and engage”.

Despite Tory PM David Cameron and Tory Health Secretary Andrew Lansley ignoring the concerns of professional bodies, experts and patients’ groups over the last 9 months, they now claim to be listening at this late stage, as the reforms are weeks away from being voted on in Parliament. They still plan however, to plough ahead with this high-cost, high-risk NHS reorganisation.

Brighton & Hove Labour Leader, Councillor Gill Mitchell, who also works for the NHS, said:

“The Prime Minister and the Health Secretary have had months to listen to the legitimate concerns of health professionals, experts and patient bodies. Instead, they have ignored these concerns. Now, late in the day and as they plough ahead with the very same reforms that are causing such huge concern and upheaval.

“This is no way to treat our NHS and I encourage everyone across Brighton & Hove to sign Labour’s petition and raise their voices to challenge these changes.”

Labour Leader Ed Miliband said:

“No one voted for David Cameron’s proposals and they didn’t appear in the coalition agreement either.  If the Prime Minister is serious about listening, he should withdraw his confused plans.“

Shadow Health Secretary, John Healey, who visited Brighton & Hove to launch the South East Local Election Manifesto last week, said:

“The Tories need to understand that there is not simply concern with the pace of change; it is a question as to whether these are the right reforms at all. They should take this opportunity to listen properly to the concerns that have been voiced over the past nine months and respond with radical surgery to their reforms.”