Health Alert reports fears that the microbiology lab at Worthing Hospital is closing after a ‘consultation’, shifting yet another service to Chichester.
The move would impact on jobs and potentially 24-hour emergency services.
More details on Health Alert
No wonder Barry Mear is smiling. He just won Cokeham ward in the Adur Council elections.
Barry has also been re-elected to the Sompting Parish Council, which he has chaired for many years. Sad to see some long-standing colleagues on the parish council lose their seats. But Barry promises us that Sompting will continue to be a model local authority, supporting the local community.
Full election analysis on Worthing and Adur council elections here.
All voting papers for Adur and for Worthing councils being counted today. More details later but we’re confident the Labour vote will be up substantially.
Yellow rosettes very thin on the ground yesterday as the LibDems paid the price for their coalition with the Tories.
We’re getting great feedback on the doorsteps. Now we need just one more push from everyone on polling day.
So many voters telling us they’ve always voted Tory but can’t bring themselves to this time.
Welcome to Labour. We really can make a difference together.
The Argus reported that in Crawley the Lib Dems have entered no candidates. They said it was a mistake over dates.
Oh dear, so Lib Dems can’t even get the election dates right now?
One of Labour’s expert volunteers has helped local man Mr R overturn a decision on his Disability Living Allowance (DLA) claim.
Georgina accompanied Mr R to the tribunal hearing his case. It was a complex case, but the tribunal unanimously agreed to backdate and reinstate the care and mobility components of the allowance.
Well done Georgina, and all good wishes to Mr R and his family.
Check out Health Alert! coming to Shoreham Community Centre on Saturday 28 April. From 10am – 1pm.
Labour will be the last line of defence for an NHS coming under sustained attack from David Cameron.
The NHS pledge by Labour is a practical attempt to limit the damage. Labour councillors will be champions for patients and defenders of NHS values. Our pledge is to:
1. Protect an NHS that is free for all, resisting the encroachment of charges and unwarranted restrictions based on lifestyle choices.
2. Prevent a postcode lottery. Patients in some areas are already being denied routine treatments, such as for varicose veins, that are available on the NHS elsewhere.
3. Maintain Labour’s waiting standards for cancer care, operations and in A&E. Since the election there’s been a 25% rise in people who waited longer than 18 weeks for operations.
4. Promote collaboration over competition, preventing the market from destabilising valued NHS services. Labour will call for a “one NHS” approach in every community.
5. Put patients before profits. There are already signs that financial incentives may mean NHS patients get sub-optimal care. Labour will always be vigilant in protecting patient choice and preventing profiteering.
The more mayors and councils we have after May 3, the stronger that last line of defence in your community.
You can:
Support our election campaign
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It is obvious that ‘together’ does not include ‘equally’ (together) or ‘fairly’ (together). Last week saw changes in Working Families Tax Credit. We reckon about 4,000 households in Adur and East Worthing will be worse off.
It’s all very well telling people they now have to work at least 24 hours a week to quality for the tax credit. We all know there aren’t enough jobs to go round, and many part-timers are being told they can’t increase their hours.
Campaigners are now asking the Tories to delay the changes until autumn 2013, when a new universal benefits system will address the gap.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/mar/04/working-tax-credit-changes-postponed
Our campaign to win back key seats for Labour is well underway and this week we completed nominations for 19 Labour candidates, covering Adur and Worthing Councils. All members are urged to help make the May local council elections a turning point for Labour locally. We welcome people who can help with canvassing, letter stuffing and leaflet delivery.
email us: secretary@ewaslabour.org.uk