Official responses to Thurrock General Hospital Petition

12.43.12am GMT Thu 8th Dec 2005

"Thurrock residents taking the fight for their long overdue local general hospital to the Prime Minister"

Following the recent presentation of a 10,000 signature petition to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street, The Thurrock Hospital Campaign Group led by The Liberal Democrats have received a letter of acknowledgement on behalf of the Prime Minister in which he thanked us for our letter and petition.

Earnshaw Palmer, former parliamentary candidate and spokesperson for the campaign team said, "We are greatly disappointed that despite our concerns the matter was delegated to the relevant government department, without any comment from the Prime Minister or the Health Secretary.

"A further correspondence has been received from the Department of Health. Although our concerns were acknowledged the letter stated that job of government was to set the national agenda and put in place national standards and to provide the overall health service funding."

"Moreover it was emphasised that the responsibility for deciding how the national agenda is delivered locally and how the money is spent, now rests with local health communities."

"It was suggested that we raised this issue with the Essex Strategic Health Authority. A letter has been received from Essex Strategic Health Authority which is now being carefully considered."