Closing Hospitals in Tory Seats?

TimSwift Mon Oct 16, 2006 at 10:30:16 AM GMT Print-friendly version Facebook

Iain Dale has picked up on a story in the Times which purports to prove that the Government is targeting hospital closures on Tory and Lib Dem seats.



Mr Dale is pretty excited about this, but actually it's pretty thin stuff. Most of the hospitals listed are in primarily rural areas - which is not surprising, as this is where older community hospitals which have lacked investment for the last quarter century are largely situated. They are also the ones most likely to lack the critical mass of patient numbers which make it possible to provide quality specialised care, and hence most likely to be under threat. And, sadly, rural areas are more likely to have Tory or Lib Dem MPs than Labour ones.

Also, note that if you check the list of hospitals they quote, they are a mixture of ones under review, actually planned for closure, and reported to be under threat, so it is hardly a convincing set of evidence overall.


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Closing Hospitals in Tory Seats? | 4 comments (4 topical)

Re: Closing Hospitals in Tory Seats? (#1)

by Glass House on Mon Oct 16, 2006 at 12:02:06 PM GMT

I sometimes think about setting up a blog to satirise Iain Dales'

The things you could do with his highwire (right-winger & Cameroon) act, his tendency to make rash comments and then claim they were a joke in the comments section and a host of other stuff. It would be great.


Re: Closing Hospitals in Tory Seats? (#2)

by alexswanson on Mon Oct 16, 2006 at 01:29:40 PM GMT

Oh right, just a coincidence.

Just like it's a coincidence that it's mostly Labour MPs who benefit from ignoring the West Lothian Question.

Just like it was coincidence that the only reform that this government's made to the House of Lords meant removing mostly anti-Labour peers.

Just like it was coincidence that Labour's only real attempt to "improve voter turnout" involved all-postal voting, widely believed to boost Labour's share of the vote.

Just like it was coincidence that Labour's main "animal welfare" bill, the hunting ban, victimised people Labour doesn't like.

How many coincidences are we expected to swallow?


Re: Closing Hospitals in Tory Seats? (#4)

by Mark Wadsworth on Wed Oct 18, 2006 at 04:27:06 PM GMT

It is also a coincidence that Labour councils get much more money from the Formula Grant.


[ Parent ]

Re: Closing Hospitals in Tory Seats? (#3)

by Anonymous on Mon Oct 16, 2006 at 02:57:07 PM GMT

So if I don't vote Labour they will close my hospital, Gordon you've got my vote! I'm a tart y'know.


Closing Hospitals in Tory Seats? | 4 comments (4 topical)