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Lewisham public health cuts

LEWISHAM COUNCIL PAUSES CUT TO HEALTH VISITING SERVICES

Government cuts to health visiting services were paused at the Mayor and Cabinet meeting on 12 December while a review takes place of the service in the context of children’s services overall. 

Save Lewisham Hospital campaigners petitioned, leafleted and lobbied the Mayor and key Council committees over the consultation on cutting the service. Councillors voiced their own reservations about the cuts to such a vital service for young babies, children and mothers.

PUBLIC CONSULTATION
The consultation ended 6 November – thanks to all who filled it out. 

Thanks to all who signed our petition. 

See this report in the Newsshopper
https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/17298530.lewisham-public-health-cuts-approved-but-health-visiting-cuts-paused/

 

PREVIOUSLY…

LEWISHAM COUNCIL CONSULTS ON MORE CUTS TO PUBLIC HEALTH
PLEASE SIGN OUR PETITION NOW AND SHARE! CLICK HERE   

THANKS TO ALL WHO FILLED OUT THE COUNCIL PUBLIC CONSULTATION WHICH ENDED 6 NOVEMBER

BACKGROUND
As a result of ongoing government cuts to public health funding and to council funding in general, Lewisham Council have issued a proposal to cut £640 000 from Public Health services in our borough. The Co.uncil consulted on the proposed cuts – the consultation ended 6 Nvoember and you can read about the council’s proposal here.

Please read our guide to filling out the consultation here which contains much additional useful information

Our campaign is already engaging with the Council on this issue.

Since 2010 the government has continued to promote a reduction in hospital beds and to talk about ‘more care in the community’. But at the same time they are slashing the money for community services.

These cuts in Lewisham will reduce vital health visitors and services to young children under 5 years, cut services to adults with substance misuse problems and cut preventive public health services to promote health and wellbeing for Lewisham residents.

We are still campaigning for the Council to join with other councils to oppose these government austerity measures.

 

 

 

The cuts include:

  • £196,306 (2.6%) cut to the Health Visiting service.  In 2016 the Health visitor budget was cut by 16.4%, undermining services to young children and their parents
  • £127, 000 (3%) cut to substance misuse services.
  • £10, 000 (5.8%) cut for the Community Nutrition and Physical activity service.
  • £10, 000 (10%) cut to Neighbourhood community development partners.
  • £192, 294 cut to the sexual health services contract.
  • £106, 400 has already been saved in staffing and commissioning arrangements.


LABOUR PARTY AND TRADE UNION MOTION
A motion prepared by Labour Party members within the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign has now been passed by several Labour Party branches. The motion is also relevant for trade union branches. Download here. 


MORE  INFORMATION
Lewisham Borough’s motto is ‘Salus Populi Suprema Lex’  ‘The welfare of the people is the first great law’

Before you do the consultation you might like to read:

  • The Council Public Health Grants cuts consultation document quotes among other things the legal obligation of Councils to improve public health.
    ‘The Health and Social Care Act 2012 (“the Act”) sets out the Council’s statutory responsibilities for public health services. The Act conferred new duties on the Council to improve public health. The Council has a duty to take such steps as it considers appropriate for improving the health of people in its area.’ (Para 8.1)
    http://councilmeetings.lewisham.gov.uk/documents/s58903/04%20PH%20CUTS%20consultation%20-%20040918.pdf

It is quite clear that government cuts are preventing the Council from carrying out their legal duty, which is why we are urging and supporting the Mayor and Council to campaign against government public health cuts.

PRESS

·      Newsshopper: £642k of public health cuts a “ticking time bomb,” expert warns

https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/16861624.642k-of-public-health-cuts-a-ticking-time-bomb-expert-warns/?ref=fbsh

Newsshopper:  16 November 
Petition against Lewisham Council public health cuts passes 1,200 signatures