18th April 2006

The Green Party is calling for the resignation of Patricia Hewitt in light of the Oxfordshire NHS 'catastrophe'

The Green Party has called for the resignation of Patricia Hewitt following the announcement of continued job cuts across the NHS. Job cuts that could hit 100,000 nationally will have direct consequences on clinical services and patient care within the County.

Green Group County Leader, Cllr. Larry Sanders says:

"The last few months have seen the NHS fall into chaos as a direct result of the ill-conceived policies of this government. The sacking, last month, of the Chief Executive Nigel Crisp was a clear indication of Patricia Hewitt not accepting responsibility.

"Ms Hewitt, who moved from the disgraced firm Arthur Anderson - has managed to disgrace the NHS in her failure to implement coherent and constructive policies."

He continued:

"It is very simple, Patricia Hewitt must go. The personal interest being taken by the Prime Minister is the nail in the coffin and must spell the end of her reign of terror. She must take full responsibility for the mess that she has created and the government must implement immediate measures, such as the scapping of the internal market and the reversal of the privatisation of the NHS."

Cllr Larry Sanders: Tel: 723981