Protecting our NHS

The Government's modernisation plans will release £5 billion of NHS bureaucracy savings that will be reinvested into patient care.

Andrew Jones MP said, "The NHS is one of our greatest and best-loved institutions. It needs reform to make sure it can keep pace with the rising costs of treatments and technologies, deal with the challenge of an ageing population and provide the best service possible now and in the future. It is vital that we get those reforms right.

"Rather than push through changes, it was right that the government took time to pause and listen to the views of thousands of people including doctors, nurses, NHS workers and patients."

Andrew continued, "Here in Harrogate, we have an excellent local hospital. Work is set to start shortly on the new Sir Robert Ogden Macmillan Cancer Centre next to the hospital and should be complete by summer 2013. This facility has been financed by Sir Robert Ogden, Macmillan Cancer Support and the Harrogate & District NHS Foundation Trust. Such a major investment in a crucial area is good news for our district."