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Save Bolingbroke Hospital
Gordon Brown spent years simply throwing money at the problems in the NHS with almost no success. Now he is drastically cutting spending to try to save some of the money he has wasted. He has already made 20,000 health workers redundant and has spent £70 million on redundancy payouts. In a sweeping programme of cuts being dealt out from Westminster, Mr Brown will see the end to a wide range of essential health services such as Battersea's local community hospital, the Bolingbroke.
However, the end of the Bolingbroke is not inevitable. Jane Ellison, the Conservatives' Parliamentary Spokesman for Battersea, has been campaigning to 'Save the Bolingbroke' since she was selected by local residents in September 2006: "The Bolingbroke staff provide a brilliant and essential service to the people of Battersea. That's why we're putting every effort into keeping the Bolingbroke alive for local residents, thousands of whom have said that they support our campaign."
The Labour MP Martin Linton has spoken of replacing the Bolingbroke with another hospital on other suggested sites. However, health officials have confirmed that not only does the NHS Trust not own all of the proposed sites, but there is also no funding set aside for such a project. Any proceeds from the sales of the Bolingbroke site would go directly into Gordon Brown's coffers at the Treasury. Indeed, local experience suggests that it would take up to eight years to fill the hole left by the Bolingbroke.
By continuing to put pressure on the government, the people of Battersea can ensure that a suitable solution for the Bolingbroke can be found. If you would like to support the campaign to 'Save the Bolingbroke', let us know by clicking here.
For more updates on the progress of the Bolingbroke campaign, please click on any of the following links to be taken to relevant news stories.
- Battersea Conservatives launch fight to Save the Bolingbroke Hospital
- Bolinbroke update: local NHS Trusts vote for closure despite our opposition
- Bolingbroke Consultation Process
- Councillor Peter Dawson questions Leader on the Bolingbroke
- Local Councillors seek assurances over the future of the Bolingbroke
- Thousands Support 'Save the Bolingbroke' Campaign
- Tooting residents say ‘Stop Brown’s NHS cuts’
- Trusts vote to close Bolingbroke and confirm “NO NEW LOCAL HOSPITAL” for Battersea
