Lib Dem PPC Promotes World C lass Health Care in Craven

8.08.58am UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 20th May 2007

James Keeley, Lib Dem Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Skipton and Ripon has called on the community to get involved in helping Craven receive world class health care.

Mr. Keeley visited a consultation evening with Airedale NHS Trust at Skipton Town Hall on Thursday evening. Mr. Keeley said:

"Airedale NHS Trust is trying all it can to get Foundation Trust Status. Whilst I am politically opposed to Foundation Trusts, under this Government Foundations Trusts are the best way to ensure that local people get the best possible health care. I therefore support fully support Airedale's quest to become one.

Foundation Trust status will effectively mean that local people will have much more of a say of how the Trust is run, Airedale will have much more control over its future and have the chance to reinvest any surplus that it makes. I urge people to get involved to help make Airedale truly world class. One way of doing this is to apply to become a Foundation Trust member, for more details about this go and visit www.airedale-trust.nhs.uk

During the meeting I made it quite clear that any bid by Airedale for Foundation Trust Status must not in any way undermine the services or the future of Skipton Hospital. I was greatly assured to hear that the Trust fully supported Skipton Hospital. Skipton Hospital is something that I and my fellow Liberal Democrats believe passionately in. The fight to secure its future continues and we are up for the battle."